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Following these congratulatory messages and remarks from representatives of the Ukrainian government, members of diaspora organizations, and others, those attending were privileged to witness a moving ceremony during which young new members of the UNWLU* were blessed by a priest. After the blessing, the young women expressed their gratitude and happiness at being part of Soyuz Ukrainok Ukrainy. UNWLU President Atena Pashko presented a full report, covering the activities of the organization for the last ten years. She proudly informed those attending that the UNWLU is now a significant presence in every region of Ukraine and the Crimea. Our readers are familiar with UNWLA "regional councils" and "branches." Their counterparts in Ukraine are divided into 25 oblasti, 59 rayony, and 597 oseredky, with a total membership of 15,200. That Saturday evening was dedicated to a farewell to outgoing President Atena Pashko. The UNWLU president recited her poetry; other members of the organization played the piano or sang. Ms. Pashko's proposed candidate for the UNWLU presidency, Lilia Hryhorovych, was chosen to head the organization. The following day, Hennady Udovenko (formerly permanent representative of Ukraine to the United Nations and President of the 42nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, and now a member of the Verkhovna Rada), addressed the audience. In his speech, Mr. Udovenko summarized the challenges that confront the Verkhovna Rada. As UNWLA President, I once again addressed the audience, this time briefing them on the work that our organization has done throughout its 75 years. I proclaimed the UNWLA's wish to be symbolically united with women in Ukraine and to be the first to re-form the International Ukrainian Women’s League that was created before the war in 1937 and headed by Milena Rudnycky. At this juncture, a woman from Ivano Frankivsk came to the stage and presented me with an embroidered towel (rushnychok). I proudly announced "With this rushnychok, we symbolically unite our two organizations." Honorary Presidents Anna Krawczuk and Atena Pashko, newly elected UNWLU President Lilia Hryhorowich, and Nadia Shmigel were invited to participate in the joining ceremony. It was a very moving moment for all of us. At this point, it is important to distinguish between our affiliation with the World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations and our relationship with the International Ukrainian Women's League. Our history as a member organization of the WFUWO is a history of diaspora organizations. Through this organization, we are able to speak at the United Nations of the problems that our minority sisters face in their respective countries and sustain them in their endeavors. In the symbolic resurrection of the International Ukrainian Women's League, the UNWLA hopes to confirm its moral support for Ukrainian women in Ukraine and to unite in spirit women’s organizations that bear the name Soyuz Ukrainok. During the day, presidents of regional councils, branches and other individuals spoke of the great work that was done by outgoing UNWLU President Atena Pashko, and many presented her with tokens of appreciation and flowers. During the two-day meeting, those attending were able to purchase special artifacts for sale at an on-going exhibit. As UNWLA President, I was presented with books that will be placed in our library. At the close of the IV Congress, the UNWLA Honorary President Anna Krawczuk thanked outgoing UNWLU President Atena Pashko for her cooperation during her tenure, congratulated newly elected President Lilia Hryhorovych, and wished her well in her new post. On Monday, Ms. Pashko and Ms. Hryhorowych invited me to participate in a radio interview. Atena Pashko spoke of the past work of the UNWLU; newly elected President Lilia Hryhorovych spoke of projects she plans to implement in the future. Among her hopes and goals is making the Ukrainian language the primary language in all of Ukraine's schools. The importance of Ukrainian language in Ukraine was also emphasized during my segment of the interview. I also spoke about the problems of Ukrainian authorities limiting humanitarian aid, underscoring that Ukraine is one of the few nations in the world to treat humanitarian aid in such a manner. Anna Krawczuk, Nadia Shmigel, and I all boarded a train on Monday night — Anna traveling to Lviv, Nadia and I traveling on to Uzhorod. There we were met by the President of UNWLU Zakarpattia, Dr. Oksana Hanych, and her son, Dr. Taras Hanych. After a brief rest, we met with the Governor of Zakarpattia to discuss the flood. The Governor mentioned that while the Ukrainian government was providing general assistance to the region, much of the help to Zakarpattia was designated only to certain groups, for instance, religious groups. The Germans provided help to German communities and Hungarians to their own. It disturbed us to hear that only certain groups were receiving help that is universally needed in the area. That evening we met with members of Soyuz Ukrainok of Zakarpattia. We listened to their stories about the flood and about the needs of the children, especially those living in the mountain regions. Nadia Shmigel 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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