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OUR LIFE Monthly, published by Ukrainian National Women’s League of America VOL. XLII ______________________________ FEBRUARY 1985 Editor: Marta Baczynsky REACHING OUT D o w e w a n t a n y th in g ? The ”we” in the above question refers specifically to members of Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, and by extension to all women of Ukrainian background. Our goals determine our activities and our activities reflect our membership. While the overall principles guiding our activities have remained constant, the thrust of the work of the organization changed through the years. Yet at all times it continued to reflect the combination of our interests as women, as members of a community and as indi viduals of Ukrainian heritage. In the 1920’s and 30’s UNWLA had sent considera ble aid to the home country, subsidized part of the cost of attending international congresses and helped many Ukrainians in need. In the 1940’s that aid increased with helping hands extended to thousands of Displaced Per sons (DP’s). Since organizations cannot help needy Soviet citizens, UNWLA turned its attention to helping Ukrainians in other parts of Europe and South America. This philanthropic pursuit also included programs to benefit the elderly. Our organization has also supported various pro jects of our Ukrainian American communities through donations, subsidies and direct work. In fact, the UNWLA is among the major contributors toward the support and realization of many of our community undertakings. Many times our organization pioneered a community project. UNWLA’s work in preschool education, child ren’s publications and in the vast arena of various cultu ral activities is well known. Needless to say, Ukrainian women were in the fore front of countless campaigns to publicize the cause of the Ukraine and support political efforts. Mary Beck is probably best known for this type of activity by her abil ity to combine, actually weave into a seamless garment, political objective and community work within the Amer- ican-Ukrainian and American milieu. Countless members of the UNWLA as well as many branches of the organi zation have repeatedly demonstrated similar achieve ment. All of the above is on the side of giving. Indeed, we are generally more comfortable doing things for others or for the general good, than standing back to see how it affects us. We may grumble privately about tedium and overwork, nevertheless we continue to do what needs to be done. UNWLA is well known for its selfless work, for which its chapters rarely get recognition. It seems to me that it might be a good idea to address ourselves to three basic issues which are directly relevant to us, our work and our potential new membership. I raise these issues as points of discussion. The first point is: what do we, as women, as per sons, stand to gain from membership in the UNWLA? Is it the opportunity to be in a community of like-minded individuals, is it for personal warmth and gratification? Does our membership supplement our emotional, family or life-cycle needs? How have we responded to the changing attitudes and expectations of women in the 1980 s? In the 1930’s UNWLA called upon its members to join the unions; in the 1950’s it catered to its domestic needs. Where do we choose to stand now? Do we care? We encourage young women to study, we subsidize some of their education, we emulate exceptional women. But are we truly addressing the issues that are critical to our members, or do we simply rely on an automatic ’’hereditary” membership? What do you think? Second, are we pulling sufficient weight in the eth nic Ukrainian community? I am not asking if we are doing enough for that community, nor am I simply rais ing the issue of recognition. I am pushing the questions further — does our organization have the community power, influence and prestige that it ought to have? Does it have a say in our community activities? And if it does, are we, its member, responsible for the state of our community? Third, and this is now my bailiwick and the area in which I would like to be the gadfly — is the UNWLA truly reflective of our genuine, current interests? In what sense does the organization and its individual branches reflect our concerns as citizens of the USA? How does it help us to be more productive members of our com munities? 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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