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OUR LIFE M o n th ly , p u b lis h e d by U k ra in ia n N a tio n a l W o m e n ’s L e a g u e o f A m e ric a VO L. XLIV JUNE 1987 Editor: M arta Baczynsky REMARKS OF MARIA SAWCHAK N E W LY E LE C TE D P R E S ID E N T O F U N W LA , A T T H E B A N Q U E T O F T H E XXI C O N V E N T IO N , MAY, 1987 I would like to thank the delegates for their support in electing me the president of UNWLA. This not only indicates trust, honor and privilage, but brings with it a tremendous responsibility. To head an organization such as UNWLA with a membership of 4,000 within 121 branches, is a job which can only be carried out with the help of the members of the Executive Council, the National Board, with the cooperation of all members of our organization and with the very significant help of our Ukrainian community. Although the fundamental goals of our organization, as stated in our By-Laws have not changed since the inception of UNWLA in 1925, there have been many pol itical, social and economic changes in the world. We therefore must implement new methods to support our position, especially that of our nation. We must look to our people who live in the free world, to those in our native Ukraine, to those incarcerated; UNWLA has always worked with the aim of helping our nation. Members of UNWLA are women of different ages, of different professions, from different social and economic spheres of our communities and whose roots are from different regions of Ukraine. Their backgrounds reflect the various stages of immigration which have enriched this country. Among them are those whose parents, grandparents or great-grandparents came to the United States as immigrants, yet who have not lost their inden- tifying link with their heritage. Yet there are people from the last phase of immigration whose efforts were totally devoted to securing material benefits and neglecting their obligations of national responsibility. However, as in the past, so today, many of their children and grand children feel a need to find their roots. For many of the early immigrants the Ukrainian com munity was an extension of their family circle, where they could find warmth and solace. With great emotion we read the memoirs of Olena Lotocky, a former presi dent of UNWLA, where she describes how the members of the first branches of the organization came to meet ings, bringing their children with them, because there was no one to care for them at home. How strong was their need to be a part of this group, to join in commun ion with their fellow Ukrainians. The Second World War brought the political immigra tion to the free world. They too had to secure a liveli hood. Years passed and now we have a generation of women and girls born and raised on this continent whose needs for organizational activity and participa tion in organizaitons is varies. The aims and programs of UNWLA throughout the years were such that they served as a magnet to women from various backgrounds. Today, it is not only impor tant to continue this work but it is imperative to bring in new members, to bring in the younger generation in order to develop new ways and new methods which can be implemented to realize our goals. One of the most prominent characteristics which gua ranteed UNWLA its popularity was its internal program which gave the membership an opportunity to learn more about Ukrainian history and culture and at the same time nurtured a feeling of indentification, love and pride in their heritage. We must pay atention to the cul tivation of our langague, so that our literature, our press, our written word is accessible and understandable to all our members. It is important today, particularly in the English speaking branches to urge the younger women to learn to speak Ukrainian, since our language in Ukraine is falling victim to russification. The second prominent characteristic is the organiza tion’s relations with the external world. We are witnesses to the defamation of our good name, to the falsification of historical records and to the erroneous interpretation of historical facts. To set the record straight in all these cases thorough knowledge is essential. In effect, we are representatives, in every act and word, of our nation and what it stands for and we must strive for that excellence. We are very lucky to live and work in this free land — the United States of America. Here, we are given the freedom to act on the behalf of our native land, the land which will forever remain our spiritual home. To reap success, work for the community cannot be a burden. A feeling of good will, mutual respect and 26 НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЧЕРВЕНЬ 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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