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Pre-Convention meeting of the UNWLA National Board. From left: Ivanna Ratycz, Maria Savchak, Olha Hna- teyko, Anna Krawczuk, Iryna Czajkiwska, Maria Tomorug, Anastasia Cha- rysh, Iryna Hladka. CAN THE WOMAN OF THE 90’S MAKE A DIFFERENCE? SHOULD THE WOMAN OF THE 90’S TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? WHERE AND HOW? Professor Nahirnyj, a prominent Ukrainian sociolo gist, claims that each generation of ethnic groups por trays a feeling of belonging in a different way. However, the actual feeling of belonging is of the same impor tance and strength. Generations differ not in the strength of identification with an ethnic group, but in its founda tion. All cultural elements such as religion, language, way of life, traditions, art, music, dance and behavior, are passed on from one generation to the next not by means of genetic inheritance but through formal and informal practices and examples. One is not a Ukrainian just by being born into a Ukrainian family, for that is merely a genetic element. One is a Ukrainian if one has learned, internalized and lived according to the ways of the Ukrainian culture. How does this process of internalization occur and when? The logical response to that particular question is that this process of internalization should begin in the individual home, on an individual basis. The President of So- yuz Ukrainok in Ukraine in 1934, Milena Rudnycka, in an opening address of the Ukrainian Women’s Congress in Stanyslaviv stated that ’’the women’s movement regards the family as a social and biological identity of our national organism, as a place where the soul is molded and the future of the nation is raised.” Therein lies the first portion of the responses to our question “Can the woman of the 90’s make a differ ence?” The first imprint we can make is as mothers, aunts, parents, uncles, etc. by attempting to instill in Ukrainian children the feeling of identity and belonging to an ethnic group. All other sources merely develop and deepen a child’s knowledge of who she/he is and what is expected of her/him. This may not be an easy process for we do live in a multicultural society wherein our culture is not of main influence. Nevertheless, it can be done. By striving to integrate, we can live and fully function in both the Ukrainian and American societies. We do not give up our natural ethnic and cultural roots — we integrate, we do not totally lose our roots and assimilate. Therefore, we should try to teach our child ren to respect and follow the ways of their ethnic and cultural background but at the same time it is essential that they learn to respect the country of their citizen ship. This should naturally be our first step — to attempt to instill in our own children, in our own homes, the identity and deep respect for one’s heritage. To further develop what Milena Rudnycka stated almost 60 years ago — she said “In the women’s move ment, the Ukrainian mother is the mother of our nation, whose responsibilities do not end at the doorstep of her home. There cannot be boundaries between the inter ests of the family and the nation, and the responsi bilities of women to their children and their communi ties cannot be separated.” Herein lies the second step of the process of ’’making a difference.” We should attempt to make a difference in the community — both Ukrainian and American. This can more easily be accomplished if we act as an organ of a community group. Professor Nahirnyj states that “group” identity plays a significant role in an individual’s life because the process of identification with ancestors can develop that important feeling of belonging to a group and through that feeling form a specific connection with one’s ethnic roots. This involves the psychological aspect of understanding that one, like the ancestors, have sim ilar religion, language, tradition, way of life, and so on. ’’Who prepares the Ukrainian woman to take part in community activities, who mobilizes their strengths, activates their energies, if not a women’s organization” such as our UNWLA? Milena Rudnycka said that “all efforts pertaining to the general welfare and needs of Ukraine always found the most vital response in women's organizations.” Therefore, the group or organization is essential for the individual to identify with his ethnic group and also facilitates efforts to make a difference in the American and Ukrainian societies. There is strength in numbers, in peer support, even in peer pressure. The greatest impact can best be made through community organizations. UNWLA is the per fect community organization through which the Ukrain 18 "НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЖОВТЕНЬ 1993 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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