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The Ukrainian 'fjational Womens League of oAmerica BROOKLYN, N. Y. For over sixty years now, Uk rainian feminist leaders 'both in the motherland and abroad, fore most amonig them being Natalia Kobrynska, Olga Drahamaniw- Kosach, Sophia Ruisova, Olena Kysilewska, Lesia Ukraimka and Ludm'ila Starytsfka^Cherniahiv- ska, have arisen to better the life of Ukrainian women wher ever they were. Their work in literary, educa tional, social and political field has awakened in Ukrainian wo men the consciousness of their responsibilities for the destiny of the Ukrainian Nation. Many women’s organizations have come into being in Ukraine, encompassing every phase of public life, thus becoming an in tegral part in the struggle of the Ukrainian people for freedom and independence. Under the impulse of this movement in Ukraine and a de sire to better the lot of Ukrain ian women in America, was born the Ukrainian National; Women's League of America in, 1925. Seven, years Later it gained strength, after holding the First,; Ukrainian Women's Congress in: May, 1932, in New York City. 11 then reorganized itself into a- cultural, educational, non-politiJi cal and non-sectarian sioeiety, re inforcing its main purpose which; was described in its By-taws as; follows’: “The object of the Organiza tion shall be to. unite and or ganize women of Ukrainian birth and descent, living in the United!1 States of America for social, edu cational, civic and humanitarian;: cooperation and activities, for;; mutual aid, for cultural and hu-; manitarian assistance to Ukrain-; ians outside the United States? and for organized participation! in American, Ukrainian and in ternational women’s actions.” Mutual helpfulness took many forms. Until 1944 instructions, were given througih-bulletins and lectures at Branches on the pro cedure of obtaining American ci tizenship, on art and culture, health, domestic science etc’ Since then instructions appeared in Our. Life, an official publica tion of the UNWLA, published monthly in Philadelphia, printed in English and Ukrainian langu ages. Cunventions were held every two years until 1945, when all policies were freely discussed, ] voted and acted upon. Officers for the ensuing two (now three) years were also elected then. And in the 1945 Convention held at Philadelphia, Pa., scholarships ‘ for music, journalism and medi cine were established. The first in journalism as awarded to the Junior Editor of Our Life. Through friendly contacts with national, state and local Ameri can women’s organizations the ; UNWLA has been enabled to spread some knowledge of Uk rainian history and literature, arts and crafts, customs and tra ditions. Exhibitions of Ukrain ian arts and crafts are still be ing held at universities and schools of all grades, at muse ums, clubs and churches. (Such aii exhibition can be arranged on і request by writing to the UNW LA headquarters, 866 No nth 7th St., Philadelphia 23, Pa.). These artistic objects include embroi dery, ceramics, carved and in- ■crusited wooden articles, tapes try, costumes, dolls, easter eggs, etc. They give a broad idea of the scope of Ukrainian, handi craft. Lectures on- other asipects of Ukrainian life can also be arranged through the UNWLA’s headquarters at Philadelphia. No account of UNWLA’s ac tivities can be complete without mention of our Junior League. The forty six senior Branches made up of women born in Uk raine are helping to found Junior Branches composed of women of Ukrainian origin born, in the United States. Thus he endless chain is created that will add to the natural blending of cultures of the Old and New World. During World War II both se nior and Junior Branches of the UNWLA conducted first aid classes and set up Red Cross units, canteens and blood banks. They also sent packages to the boys of our armed forces and to hospitals. Our main object now is to work for world peace. Yet there is a very urgent immediate task before the UNWLA — the col lecting of clothes, money and foodstuffs for the 200,000 Uk rainian displaced persons in Eu rope. Their plight is heart-rend ing. With the help of everyone Daughters of Ukraine Branch 53, CYA The year of 1947 was an ex tremely active one for our mem bers with hardly a breathing spell in between events. We started tlh-e year with a bang — a Ukrainian New Year’s Eve party »on January 13 to which were invited our friends, including members o fthe Na tional Memorial Post 1429, Pvt. Nicholas Minue Post 1260 and the Girls’ Sodality. The evening was quite a gay one and long remembered by all who attend ed. In February we sponsored a Cupid’s Dance at the Ukrainian National Hall. The hall was brightly decorated with hearts and cupids and provided just the right atmosplhere for the even ing. The novelty of the evening was a broken hearts’ dance and proved loads of fun in searching for partners for the special dance. Also in the month of Febru ary, and in May, we held at our Hall socials—open to our friends and their friends—for the pur pose of starting a fund which 'would permit us to mail out re lief parcels to the Ukrainian children in Europe. After these socials, our members purchased, packed and mailed food parcels to the Children’s Camp in. Eu rope. of us the response of the gener ous everywhere to the dire needs of these displaced persons will be heightened. October 1, 2 and 3, 1948, will mark a new era in the life and work of UNWLA, when a Con gress of Ukrainian. Women will be held in Philadelphia, Pa., in conjunction with the tri-annual convention of the organization. The invitation is thus extended to Ukrainian women’s organiza tions in, the United States of America, Canada, South America and Europe, to send their dele gates to said Congress. The rep resentatives of national, state and local Federation of Women’s Clubs as well as prominent wo men of America will be invited to participate. It is hoped that Junior League of UNWLA and likewise dele gates of Ukrainian Youth League of N.A., Sodalities, Clubs and so cieties wlil help make this Con gress an outstanding event of the year. H. F. D. L. On May 29 we had our Annual Dance and the evening in all re spects was successful. We generally have an annual summer bus ride and this year, on August 3, ouu* members, the Veterans Post in Brookklyn, and members of the Senior Branch 21, all spent a delightful day at Hecksher State Park. The day was perfect and tlhe picnic was a friendly get-together for all of us. Our Halloween Dance, on Oc tober 25, once again drew many friends. We have been sponsoring these Halloween Dances for many years and the special at tractions planned by our mem bers for our guests are always enjoyed. What really topped our acti vities for the year was the play and dance held on November 16. We had talked so often ’about presenting a Ukrainian play by our members and finally tiid find one we felt was suitable for us. We asiked several of our Veterans to take On the male parts and they very willingly uid so. The balance of the parts were distributed among our members and then rehearsals started. We had quite a job on our hands — the majority of us had never been “on the stage before.” We owe a lot to our Profes sor, Mr. B. Sawitzki, who with his patience and teaching led us over the rough ispots on to a suc cessful performance. To the Vet erans—Paul Onys-, Michael Die kie, Paul Krug, William Bohan, Joihn Hawrysko, William Chupa, Steve Sulkmanowski and Henry Horko—we extend our sincerest thanks or their cooperation and good performances. And our two musicians, John Krawczuk and Donald Mikiten, added just the right touch with their fine tunes. Also, to Mr. M. Kit, who promoted us, we give our thanks. While some of us were in Phi ladelphia over Labor Day week end, attending the Convention, of the Ukrainian Youth League of N.A., we heard a Detroit Group—Club Boyan—sing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” in Ukrainian. We ask ed them to send us the words and used the two songs in our play. The audience was very pleased with these versions—and to Club Boyan, we are very grateful. Altogether, the play and the dance that followed exceeded our (Continued on page 10)
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