Representing the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA), Natalie Pawlenko joined leaders of Ukrainian organizations from around the world – and received the Order of Princess Olga and other high state and Church honors, which Pawlenko accepted as recognition of the work and service of UNWLA members,
President of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA), Natalie Pawlenko, made a two-week visit to Ukraine this August to take part in the Third International Assembly, “Ukrainian Woman in the World: New Challenges – New Leadership,” and to celebrate Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day alongside leaders of Ukrainian organizations from across the globe.
Held at Lviv Polytechnic National University from August 19–21 and named in honor of Anna Kisil, the Assembly brought together Ukrainian women from Ukraine and 28 countries for an extraordinary exchange of experience, ideas, and shared purpose. Pawlenko spoke on the panel “Ukrainian Women as Ambassadors of Change: Diplomacy, Advocacy and Political Influence,” moderated by Iryna Klyuchkovska, Director of the International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations (MIOK), where she addressed the work of the UNWLA and the enduring role of the organized diaspora in supporting Ukraine.
“Ukrainian women’s leadership has never belonged to one country or one generation. It rests on the continuity of the organizations and relationships that connect women in Ukraine with Ukrainians worldwide. For a hundred years, the UNWLA has been one of the leaders of that global network — and it is a role we are proud to keep carrying forward.”
said Pawlenko
Pawlenko received several significant state and Church honors which she accepted as recognition of the work and service of UNWLA members
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded her the Order of Princess Olga, Third Class, a distinguished state honor recognizing the service of Pawlenko and all UNWLA members to Ukraine. Pawlenko expressed her profound gratitude to President Zelenskyy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States, and Chargé d’Affaires Denys Sienik.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphaniy, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, presented her with the Order of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga — an honor she received alongside Orystlava Sydorchuk, president of Soyuz Ukrainok of Ukraine, who was awarded the Order of Saint Great Martyr Barbara.
The Center of Military Chaplaincy of the Lviv Archeparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) also presented Pawlenko with its “Gold Cross” in gratitude for the UNWLA’s steadfast support of Ukraine and its defenders.
“I receive these honors with great humility. All these decades, our members have carried Ukraine in their hearts – preserving its language and culture, defending its truth, and standing beside its people through generations of struggle and change. These honors reflect their century of tireless work, and I was privileged to accept them as recognition of the work and service of UNWLA members.”
said Natalie Pawlenko
Visit to an ancient sanctuary, reclaimed by Ukrainian Church
In the city of Volodymyr, Natalie Pawlenko visited the Holy Dormition Cathedral (Успенський собор), one of Ukraine’s great sacred and historic monuments, dating to the 12th century. The cathedral was recently transferred for use to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine after decades under the jurisdiction of the church associated with the Moscow Patriarchate. The ancient sanctuary is once again serving as a Ukrainian church community, with Metropolitan Epiphaniy having celebrated the first Divine Liturgy there following its return earlier this year.
Against the backdrop of Russia’s continuing war — one aimed not only at Ukraine’s territory and people, but also at its history, culture, language, and spiritual identity — the cathedral’s return carries significance beyond the building itself, reflecting Ukraine’s broader effort to reclaim and protect its religious, cultural, and historical heritage.
Archbishop Matfey of Volodymyr and Novovolynsk welcomed UNWLA President, Natalie Pawlenko and representatives of Soyuz Ukrainok of Ukraine to the cathedral to speak about their shared work and responsibility to Ukraine, and presented Pawlenko with a Благословенна грамота (a letter of blessing) recognizing her work together with the work of the UNWLA over the decades.
Prayer and solidarity in Kyiv and Volyn: Natalie Pawlenko’s visit coincided with several gatherings of prayer and solidarity on the eve of Ukraine’s Independence Day.
On August 23, she took part in the National Prayer Breakfast in Kyiv, which drew hundreds of participants — church, government, civic, and military leaders, chaplains, families of fallen defenders, and international delegations including former Vice President Mike Pence, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Keith Kellogg, and U.S. senators and members of Congress. A joint prayer for Ukraine — its soldiers, prisoners of war, the families of the fallen, national unity, and a just peace — was led by Metropolitan Epiphaniy, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Head of the UGCC and other Ukrainian religious leaders. Pawlenko attended alongside Orystlava Sydorchuk, president of Soyuz Ukrainok of Ukraine; Szlava Huk, president of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations; and members of the Ukrainian World Congress.
Later that day, Pawlenko and Sydorchuk took part in the international forum “35 Years of Faith and Freedom” at the Temple of Peace in Kyiv, which brought together participants from nearly 50 countries. Religious, civic, political, and military leaders from Ukraine and abroad spoke about Ukraine’s resilience, the sacrifices being made in defense of its sovereignty, and the international responsibility to sustain support for a just and lasting peace.
Days earlier in Lutsk, Pawlenko joined nearly 300 people at the Volyn Prayer Breakfast, participating alongside Orystlava Sydorchuk and fellow Soyuzianky from Ukraine, Tetyana Vashchuk and Miroslava Chaikovska. The gathering united people from very different walks of life around faith and gratitude to Ukraine’s defenders. The morning also raised funds for diagnostic equipment for the regional psychiatric hospital, including equipment to care for those suffering blast injuries, concussions, and other wounds of war.
Healing and service in Volyn and Lviv
Healing remains one of the most urgent forms of service in wartime Ukraine. Together with Orystlava Sydorchuk, Pawlenko visited the Volyn Regional Clinical Hospital in Lutsk, which the Ukrainian American diaspora and the UNWLA have supported for several years, particularly in treating wounded servicemen. The partnership was established with the help of Oksana Bilozir, former Minister of Culture of Ukraine, and the UNWLA has provided the hospital with VAC wound-therapy (wound VAC) equipment. During the visit, the delegation toured the Recovery Rehabilitation Center and the department caring for patients before and after surgery, where physicians discussed complex procedures and the effective use of VAC systems.
“I am deeply impressed by the dedication and professionalism of the hospital staff, particularly their ability to treat very serious and complicated cases under extremely difficult wartime conditions. We are happy to hear that the woundVAC systems donated by UNWLA are being actively and effectively used to treat and rehabilitate patients.”
Said Natalie Pawlenko
In Lviv, Pawlenko also met with the leadership of the Center of Military Chaplaincy of the Lviv Archeparchy of the UGCC, learning about the “Space of the Brave” ministry at the Garrison Church of Sts. Apostles Peter and Paul and the work of military chaplains serving Ukraine’s defenders. It was on this occasion that the “Gold Cross” was presented in recognition of the UNWLA’s support.
That same day, Pawlenko visited Father Roman Prokopets, director of the Lviv-based Orphan Care Center of the UGCC. Father Roman gave her a tour of the House of Mercy and introduced her to the center’s work for children and families, including projects and initiatives funded with support from the UNWLA.
Pawlenko also visited the UGCC’s Student Chaplaincy Center, where its director, Father Yuriy Ostapiuk, introduced her to the main areas of chaplaincy service — including initiatives to support families from Ukraine’s frontline and de-occupied territories, as well as summer and winter camps made possible thanks to the support of UNWLA members.
“This trip was a profoundly humbling experience. Witnessing the strength and unbreakable spirit of a people who continue to fight for their independence and their future reaffirms the importance and impact of all our efforts. The courage of Ukrainians is a profound inspiration to our members, whose connection to Ukraine is rooted in its people, its culture, and the values Ukrainians are defending today. We are proud to carry this legacy forward, and to keep working alongside the millions of Ukrainians around the world as Ukraine continues its struggle for a just and lasting peace.”
said Natalie Pawlenko following the visit.
