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THE SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES OF THE UNWLA by Marianna Zajac I have tried to breathe the spirit o f the U N W L A since becom ing a member 11 years ago. This has not been simple for a member o f a branch that is so far removed from a large Ukrainian community, and the experience has opened m y eyes to some important facts. Without any reservation at all, however, I can say how proud I have become to be part o f the U N W L A . So, when Sofia H ewryk asked me to be a mem ber o f a convention panel discussion about the past, present and future o f the U N W L A , I was more than happy to share m y opinions, ideas, feelings and ex periences. The history o f the U N W L A shines! More than 75 years o f accomplishments by wom en who, only through their collective efforts, achieved such monu mental goals! W e are a unique Ukrainian community organization. W e invite a wom an to join us, to pay her dues, and then to roll up her sleeves and get to work. A 19 9 5 Ukrainian Weekly editorial stated that U N W L A members never search for accolades, never look for praise. This is a sign o f true charitable contribution. Our organization’s history is replete with accom plish ments - from aiding the Famine victim s in Ukraine in the 19 3 0 ’s to developing a breakfast program just re cently for preschoolers in Ukraine, from founding the only bilingual Ukrainian wom en’ s magazine in the U .S. to promoting the publishing o f such irreplaceable books as the latest collection o f the new ly found letters o f Lesya Ukrainka, from safeguarding Ukrainian folk art (800 pieces purchased from H alychyna in 19 3 3 ) to the development o f our current work-in-process, the Museum in N ew York City. A n interesting point was brought up at Sum mit 2002 (held at Soyuzivka in M arch 2002) by Dr. Bohdan Vitvitsky, current V ice President o f the Ukrainian Am erican Professional and Businesspersons Association o f N Y and N J. Dr. Vitvitsky remarked that we teach our children about the history and geography o f Ukraine, but that we do not emphasize the history o f our Ukrainian Am erican settlers and their accom plishments. And that may, indeed, be true. Are our children ever taught in Ukrainian Saturday school about the myriad organizations, churches, and clubs built by our grandparents and parents? M aking the younger generation aware would awaken an apprecia tion in them and, perhaps, the will and drive to protect and build on the accomplishments o f their forefathers here in the U .S. Because o f its steadfastness and stand as an apolitical organization, the U N W L A has gained the respect o f our community. For both its accomplish ments and its modesty it has etched its place as one o f the top Ukrainian organizations in our milieu. A llow me to share instances o f positive comments from, yes, the men in our community - whether it be from an accountant who reviewed the U N W L A books and told me that w e should be proud that 95 cents o f every dol lar raised by our organization is used directly towards our goals (this leaves only a minute budget for admin istrative costs, and yet we are able to do so much); or whether it be from the President o f C C R F who com mented at the Summit Conference that without the U N W L A , one o f C C R F ’s biggest joint efforts (the do nation o f an M R I) would have been unattainable; or whether it be from several male leaders in our north east community who commented that the U N W L A has the best chance o f survival as a viable organization. From these observations alone, it is clear that the U N W L A has a stellar image in Ukrainian society. A most important attribute o f our organization is that it adapts its plan o f work to the needs at hand. For instance, at the tragic time o f the Famine, the U N W L A set up a fund to aid the victims. It did the same for the victim s o f Chornobyl and yet again for the more recent victim s o f the Carpathian floods. Quick action was taken at times o f dire need. A t the same time, innovative actions such as the breakfast for preschool children were begun. A ll these were initiated while maintaining the Scholarship, Babusia, Museum and other projects. H ow proud we should be that, while overcoming many obstacles, our Museum will be complete in the near future! Finally the 800-piece collection o f Ukrainian folk art and crafts, purchased in 19 3 3 by our members, will find a home! This leads me to another integral attribute o f the U N W L A : it has been able to bridge both genera tions and immigrations. The collection o f folk art I just mentioned is a bridge to the founding members o f the U N W L A ; w e also see examples, although not numer ous enough, o f grandmothers, mothers, and now daughters joining the U N W L A . W hat an outstanding opportunity to exchange knowledge and the past his tory o f our organization! The U N W L A has also bridged immigrations o f Ukrainians - from the immi grants that founded the U N W L A in 19 2 5 to the Fourth W ave that is now enriching our organization. Again, what a marvelous sharing o f talents, ideas and knowl edge! W e can hold our heads high when we call our selves “ Soyuzanky” for we are part o f an organization 16 “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ВЕРЕСЕНЬ 2002 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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