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upscale Galleria Mall. It was amazing how many ’’closet” Ukrainians we met during these demonstrations, who openly confessed their Ukrainian backgrounds and who tend to return annually to these affairs. Passing on information, correct information, about our native cultu re, traditions, history, etc. is a very potent tool. Teaching about and preserving our culture can also be served by our Ukrainian Museum. A museum is the apex, the single most recognizable symbol of a people’s heritage, progress and achievement. It has a magnetic appeal to all citizens. A museum attracts people from all walks of life and sends them away with greater know ledge, understanding and appreciation of all they have seen and experienced. The Ukrainian Museum aims to contribute a distinct and forceful point of view to cultu ral pluralism by collecting, preserving, displaying and interpreting objects of artistic, historical and scholarly value related to Ukrainian folk art, fine art and history. The Museum is a deed that stands by itself and it is my strong feeling that we, as a community, should channel our efforts into its successful completion. What greater legacy can we leave our children and grandchildren than the preservation of our culture within the concrete walls of the Ukrainian Museum? Now that Ukraine is an independent nation and its people can more easily be reached by the diaspora, we as members of UNWLA should try to establish an active link with the Ukrainian National Women’s League in Ukraine. This is another important inroad the woman of the 90’s can make. Each side in this process should be patient since major differences exist in the daily functio ning of our lives. However, understanding grows only through contact, dialogue and support. The diaspora has been very generous in offering economic and moral support. We as members of our organizations can continue this support by aiding in establishing exchange pro grams which encourage dialogue. Recently, a Kievan children’s theatre was hosted for one month by a local American school district. Our branch of UNWLA became aware of their presence only by chance. When we became involved, we were overwhelmed by the genero sity of the Americans to these Ukrainian kids. Our branch contacted the directors of the theatre who were visiting with the children and treated them to a day at Soyu- zivka. They were very impressed at how the Ukrainian community in the U.S. has managed to preserve the language and traditions so many miles away from its nation and having been removed from Ukraine for so many years. Listening to their stories of the hardships they have and are presently enduring in this time of transition for Ukraine gave us an understanding and respect for them. Their gratitude was genuine and abundant when we sent each of the 20 students away with backpacks filled with staples. This dialogue, which can be established either on an individual basis or in a group manner, is essential, and we can make a differ ence by partaking. And, of course, I feel that if at all possible, we should try to make that pilgrimage to Ukraine. I think that if anything can supply us with the incentive to carry on our traditions and culture, walking on the land of our forefathers can. All the above examples are ways in which the woman of the 90’s can make a difference. In summary, there are three main channels we can use to make the difference: in the home on an individual basis, in the community as part of an organized group, and as a link between the Ukrainian-Americans and Ukrainians in Ukraine. Why should the woman of the 90’s make the effort to make that difference? In polling members of our branch “Why have you joined UNWLA?”, a common response sur faced — that ”it is time to give back what I received from the community,” whether that community was repres ented by Ukrainian school, dance, or music, they felt it was time to repay the community by volunteering their services and talents. The second most numerous reponse was “I want to pass on the traditions and culture to my children.” The point was that they wanted to either strengthen or reawaken their children’s interest in their Ukrainian roots and felt becoming involved themselves offered the per fect example and outlet. A more recent input I received from our active members was that they felt a great sense of personal satisfaction in their accomplishments since they became involved in the organization. Another point to be raised when asking “Why should we try to make a difference?” is that we cannot deny that our parents, most of whom immigrated after the war, through much hard work and financial support, built up the organizations and institutions we have at our fingertips. We should feel a responsibility to carry on the tradition for them, in honor of them. And, most importantly, we must carry on for our children. For without us as a link, it is questionable whether they themselves will find the incentive to seek out their roots. And, let us not forget, the deep personal satisfaction one gets from a sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that we have left a legacy for future genera tions of Americans of Ukrainian descent. In conclusion, we cannot escape the fact that a common thread exists leading from our forefathers to future generations. Our role in the community should be the endeavor to preserve, to rejuvenate, and to pro mote the health and growth of Ukrainian life in America. The Ukrainian nation can and will live in the US only when it harnesses into its service the moral and spiritual strength of women of Ukrainian descent. Yes, the Ukrainian woman of the 90’s can make a difference, must make a difference, but only if each and everyone of us makes her own valuable contribution in her own individual way will this be accomplished. Marianna Zayac President, Branch 95 Poughkeepsie, NY 2 0 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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