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IWANNA ROZANKOWSKY UNWLA — BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE PAST AND THE PRESENT The initial strive at structuring the Ukrainian women’s movement fell in the time span between the latter part of the 19th century and the beginning of the Second World War, starting with the pioneer activities of Natalia Kob- rynsky and the first attempts to form women’s organiza tions. The two foremost theoreticians of the Ukrainian women’s movement, Natalia Kobrynsky and Milena Rudnycky appealed not only for women’s rights to an education and a career, but pressed for equality in polit ical, economic, and social arenas. The Union of Ukrainian Women in Galicia, the largest women’s organization in Ukrainian history, drew its constituents from all social strata. Its members, in addi tion to participating in an extensive program within the organization, assumed active roles in community life. Much attention was paid to improving working condi tions and raising the level of education in the rural areas of the country. Young women, after completing training courses, went out to the villages where they fulfilled a variety of instructional functions which in turn contrib uted to the raise of national consciousness. The women’s press popularized the ideals of the women’s movement and clarified its direction with reference to political and social problems. Writiers, journalists and professionals from all walks of life joined the organization and con tributed their experience and expertise. On the interna tional scene, the Union of Ukrainian Women sought to communicate information on their homeland and work for better mutual understanding. In the two decades between 1920 and 1940, a new type of woman emerged who was conscious of her worth, aware of her status in her community and capa ble of assuming her responsibility within and for that community. Following a resolution adopted by the Congress of Ukrainian Women which met in Stanyslaviv in 1934, the World Union of Ukrainian Women was established in 1937 which was first to unite all Ukrainian women’s organizations in the world. It was headed by Milena Rudnycky; Sofia Russova became its honorary president. The founding of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America was not based on any ideological or theoretical considerations, rather it followed a need to have a national women’s organization in the United States. But the actual impetus was the fact that Ukrain ian women by now had entered the international forum. In 1925, the International Women’s Council held its meeting in Washington, D.C. The Polish government denied a passport to Maria Bachynska-Doncov, hence the only delegate of the Ukrainian Women’s Council to the U.S. meeting was Hanna Chekalneko-Keller from Switzerland. Women’s organizations in New York con stituted themselves into a congress committee, collected funds and sent Julia Jarema and Olena Lototsky to Washington to strengthen the Ukrainian delegation. Hanna Chekalenko later urged her American friends to form an organization similar to the Union of Ukrainian Women in Galicia. The suggestion met with unanimous approval, and the five organizations which formed the congress committee became the nucleus of the future national organization whose main objective was to con tinue international contacts. In time, the name of Ukrainian National Women’s League of America was adopted. The source of information concerning the initial years of UNWLA is the “Jubilee Book” published in 1941 on the 15th anniversary of the organization. Young women, without experience in community work on a large scale and not much to build on, were able to develop an organization which in 15 years grew to encompass 60 branches. The aims of UNWLA from is first (1932) to its fourth (1939) convention are evident from reports and resolu tions recording the organization’s response to the polit ical oppression in Galicia and Ukraine, which manif ested itself in numerous protests and relief actions. In addition, branches supported churches, schools, and other community institutions and projects in the United States. Commemorations of historical events and lec tures on the achievements of prominent Ukrainians helped to raise the national consciousness of the general membership. Exhibitions of Ukrainian folk art and work shops in crafts such as embroidery and pysanky making were intiated. The organization also staged amateur theatrical production. Althought the membership ex pressed concern about the decline in the acquisition and active use of the Ukrainian language among the American-born generations, it limited its activities in this field to donating money to Ukrainian schools. Con tacts with American women’s groups in time paved the way for UNWLA’s membership in the National Council of Women of the United States and the General Federa tion of Women’s Clubs. In the latter part of the 1930’s, the need for a publication became apparent, one which would serve as a platform for the discussion of organi zational policy, as a medium of communication between 22 ’’НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЛИПЕНЬ-СЕРПЕНЬ 1987 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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