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OUR LIFE MONTHLY, published by Ukrainian National Women’s League of America No. 2 FEBRUARY 1981 VOL. XXXVIII EDITORIAL MONTH OF HEROINES Some unwritten rule has made the month of February the month of women-heroines. It is the blood of Olha Basarab, tortured and killed in a Polish prison in 1924; it is the death by the firing of a German gun of Olena Teliha, that has committed this month to the memory of heroines. Olha Basarab is remembered as a serious pensive woman. We know Olena Teliha as a charming young woman, full of the joy of life. These two, seemingly totally different women, were united by their love for their country, by their willingness to die for her. Thus, they have become a symbol of women-heroines. But they are not the only ones. Without even mentioning all the heroines we have had throughout history, our century has given us an endless list of women-heroines. One must mention the members of the liberation movement — Olena Stepanivna, Hanna Dmyterko-Ratych, Sofia Haliechko, Wira Babenko and others. And what of the women in the ranks of UVO, OUN, UPA? And the women still in prisons and in exile? And the many women who remain at home, left to bear their burdens alone, heroically? Thinking of this, we see how little we know of the heroines of our liberation movement. How little, for instance, we know of the many underground organizations which had sprung up in the first years of WW II! Many of our freed political prisoners simply no longer have the strength to recall, and thus relive, their horrendous experiences. Yet however hard it might be, recall them they must. Our heroes have spent the many years in prisons out of devotion for their country. For their cause to succeed, the world must know of the inhuman devices the Soviets and Germans used against the Ukrainians. When the American hostages were finally released, all Americans rejoiced. We rejoiced with them. One thought then came to mind: “how lucky the hostages were to have such a strong nation behind them!” How many candles could be lit for the brothers and sisters who are now suffering in Soviet prisons, psychiatric hospitals, in exile? When will the time come when we can put out the flames of pain in the hearts of their friends and relatives? Unfortunately, these prisoners do not have a strong nation behind them. So LESYA UKRAINKA THE WEAPON OF THE WORD O word, why art thou not like tempered steel, Which in the battle gleams with vengeful zeal? Why art thou not a keen, unsparing sword, Which lops the foe’s head from his shoulders broad? 0 trusty, faithful, polished word of mine, To draw thee from the sheath I’ll ne’er decline; But my life’s blood thou drainest in the art, Thy blade will not pierce through the hostile heart... I'll whet and sharpen up thy blade until 1 have exhausted all my strength and skill, And afterwards I'll hang thee on the wall To gladden some while I my pains recall. O word, thou art my only armament, And both of us should not be vainly spent! In other, unknown hands, perhaps, who knows? Thou’lt prove a better brand 'gainst brutal foes. Thy blade will ring against the iron yoke, And tyrants’ fastnesses shall hear the stroke; Then with the clang of other swords thy sound Shall mingle with the shouts of men unbound. Avengers strong will take my weapon bright, And with it bravely rush into the fig h t... O sword of mine, serve thou those warrior bands Far better than thou servest these weak hands! From “Spirit of flame" Translated by Percival Cundy we, who live in a free world, must utilize all possible ways to get the world interested in their fate. We must get the governments of various nations to give us their support, to help our people attain freedom. Maybe now, after the tragic experiences of the 53 Americans and their families, the world will be better able to understand our cause. The world is very slow to hear the voices of prisoners in the XX century, who have behind them only an imprisoned nation. And free people in a free world call themselves the champions of a fight for freedom .... Translated and condensed from the editorial of 2/81 by M. Jarymowycz Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
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