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OUR LIFE — a look at the first year! “OUR LIFE”; the first official organ or journal of our organization, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, has become a reality after several years of striving to maintain a large enough “press fund” for a journal, which will give our members and the Ukrainian Americans an insight of what goes on in our organiza tion’s activities. We will try to do more than that, for our aim is to uphold all phases of life among the Ukrainian American women, not only organizational work, but also their home-life and public activities. For “Our Life" implies all of that.” This was the lead paragraph in an article entitled “Aspects of OUR LIFE” written by Annette L. Kmetz, public relations chairperson of UNWLA, as the maga zine made its debut in January 1944. This paragraph is short, its meaning to the point and worded modestly. It is necessary to read between the lines to understand and appreciate the monumental achievement the publi cation of this maazine represented then and still does today. From the practical side, one can imagine the count less hours devoted by those who nurtured an idea of an organization publication, from persuasions to explana tions, from urgings and arguments to downright drud gery through endless fundraising activities. The idea of creating this journal was never allowed to dim even in the apprehensive economic and political climate of the 30’s and the 40’s. The advocates of this grand idea guided it one trying step at a time toward its realization. BRIEF HISTORY For some time prior to 1944, UNWLA used the pages of the daily newspaper “America” to communicate organi zation news and views to members and supporters. Yet somehow this method was not quite satisfactory, for the question always came up — does the organization need its own publication to represent it? In 1939 at the IV Convention, Mrs. Bojko, then press secretary raised the issue again on the Convention floor. “For our organiza tion a publication is not only a necessity, it is indispens- ible. Looking around we see that almost every organiza tion has an official newspaper or magazine. Why is that? Because it is a known fact that the growth and sucess of an organization depends largely on its ability to com municate.” Though foremost concerned with the wel fare of UNWLA, Mrs. Bojko appreciated the viable far- reaching potential of such a publication. At the con clusion of her presentation she urged the Convention delegates, “Let us make a decision on this matter so that it would be most beneficial for our organization, for the Ukrainian nation and for women in particular.” The first issue of OUR LIFE magazine was an 11” x 16” newspaper-format and boasted 10 information-filled pages. Scheduled to be a monthly, it was published in Philadelphia, and the annual subscription price was $ 1.50, with a single copy priced at .15 cents. The maga zine accepted advertising. Its first editor was Claudia Olesnycky, who held this post for two years. From 1946 to 1950 Olena Lototsky assumed the job. Lidia Burachynska, a journalist who became the editor in 1951 changed the format of the magazine to the physical size it is today. Writer Uliana Lubovych came to this job in 1972 and held it for 12 years. In January of 1985 Olha Liskiwsky became the fifth editor of OUR LIFE. EDITORIALS In the first editorial Claudia Olesnycky wrote: “We paral lel the need for a publication with the task of directing our organization to deal with matters which have the potential of uniting all Ukrainian women. These matters are important to each and every one of us whose back ground is Ukrainian, who is interested in Ukraine’s fate and future.” Further in the editorial she says, “OUR LIFE” wants to meet the needs of all our women. At least once a month we want to issue a publication which in addition to general information, will address news concerning women, with attention paid to the needs of our particular lifestyle. The ability to be a homemaker, wife and mother is no longer the job of amateurs... in the trying complicated circumstances of our present daily life, especially in these times of war which demand unusual skill, wit and ability as well as practical knowl edge, in times like these a magazine for women becomes a teacher and a friend”. The editor also explains another goal of the new publication. “OUR LIFE wants to unite all Ukrainian women through the common bond which is our love for the Ukrainian people and our homeland. On the pa ges of OUR LIFE we want to devote our attention to the upbringing of our new generation so that they know the Ukrainian language and are in touch with their heritage, We hope to raise our youngsters to become exemplary American citizens, promoters of democracy, free people of a free land. Yet we also wish that these young people cherish tenderness and sym pathy in their hearts for the plight of the Ukrainian nation and that they search for ways to help their people.” Each month, with each new issue the editorial underlined an anniversary of a noted individual, an event or a holiday. In February, the editor devoted her column to honoring the memory of Lesya Ukrainka and Olha Basarab. "February is a month devoted to the undying memory of two Ukrainian women before whom our entire Ukrainian nation bows its head. These most honored giants represent the noblest aims of the spirit НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ТРАВЕНЬ 1985 29
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