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THE WAY THEY WERE by Alexandra L. Riznyk E. L. had, that day, shopped at the grocery store, the bakery, the butcher shop and the vegetable market. She had swept, dusted and mopped the apartment, ironed the girls’ middy blouses for school assembly day and washed and ironed her work dress. Now, she gave her family an early supper (Papa would wash the dishes), put up A.’s hair on wire curlers, then she washed herself and put on her new crepe dress pinning on her Christ mas gift cameo. After checking a number of small pack ages and adding them to a large bag containing Ritz crackers, a package of cream cheese and a tin of ancho vies, after some words about school work and sleep time, E.L. put on her hat and coat and left the Bronx apartment for the downtown Manhattan subway. J.B. put the last card in the file and covered her typewriter. She washed her hands, checked and fixed her make-up, wrapped a small bottle of cologne and added it to a number of small packages in her large bag. On the way to the downtown subway, she stopped at a cafeteria for a sandwich and coffee and at a liquor store to purchase two bottles of wine. M.C. left the family business shortly after lunch this day. Her husband would tidy up and close the shop in the evening. On the way home, she stopped at the neighborhood grocery store for tomorrow’s lunch items. At home, she started supper, greeted the girls home from school and sat down for milk and cookies. While her supper cooked, M.C. ironed the girls’ school uni forms she had washed the night before and listened to the recital of that day’s school happenings. She con sumed part of her supper (the girls would eat with Papa and would clean up later), washed, dressed, and wrap ped a number of small items. All ready to leave the apartment, she remembered the babka she had baked the night before. She added the wrapped babka to the packages in the big bag and, after last minute instruc tions to the girls, left for the downtown subway. The three Soyuzanky were on their way to their Branch Christmas party. They were bringing small gifts for special friends, to be put into the St. Nicholas’ sack, and their contributions to the evenings’ refreshments. Were these feminists following the tenets of the N.O.W.? Hardly since the N.O.W. wasn’t thought of for another 40 years. Were they intellectual professions seeking social contacts on their own level for intellectual stimulation and professional advancement? No, because these were immigrant housewives who, for the most part, had only elementary school educations. Were they intelligent, liberated women aiming to get together with other women like themselves to share mutual interests and moments of relaxation? Yes, they were! Strong in mind and character, these early Soyu zanky worked shoulder to shoulder with their spouses to establish families, raise and educate offspring, build Олександра Різник Aleksandra Riznyk churches and found organizations. In their homes, they maintained the customs and traditions of their faith and nationality, instilled in their children a love and respect for the culture of their forefathers. The boundless en thusiasm of these women overcame any barriers of lan guage. At a Federation of Womens’ Clubs luncheon, not one hesitated to go up to the guest speaker, Indira Gandhi, introduce themselves and welcome her. The Womens’ Auxiliary Of the Ukrainian Democratic Club never had more tireless workers in any political cam paign. This group eventually became Branch 4 of U.N.W.L.A. Unabashed by their broken English, these charming ladies would converse easily with an assem blyman, a councilman or a judge. During protest dem onstrations at Soviet or Polish counsulates, they button holed passersby or policemen in order to explain the reasons for the protest. The Soyuz Ukrainok joined with other groups to observe national holidays and sponsor exhibits. Pro grams honoring Olha Basarab were typical of these joint ventures. Such events shortly became known as Sviato Heroyin to honor those women who gave their lives in the struggle for Ukraine’s freedom. The Interntional Womens’ Exposition was another program in which the U.N.W.L.A. was a member of the sponsoring committee. Eventually, the U.N.W.L.A. took over the sole sponsorship. The branches worked hard and enthusiastically in preparing the exhibit and sale items. For each new year of the Fair’s existence, the exhibits were updated and redesigned, and thousands of visitors learned about Ukraine and its culture. Preparing 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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