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“НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЛИПЕНЬ - СЕРПЕНЬ 2011 25 reelection to a third term but were also part of the confluence of event s that culminated in the Orange Revolution. Ms. Gongadze’s presentation continued with an analysis of the subsequent administrations in Ukraine, the failure of President Yushchenko to deliver on idealistic promise s and the meaneuverings of President Yanukov ych that are designed to return Ukraine to its subservient role as a Russian sphere of influence. The speaker noted that her personal disillusionment mirrored the bitterness and apathy of many in Ukraine, but that her personal debt to her husband and what he stood for has not allowed her to simply give up. Citing Gandhi and Shevchenko, she stressed a continued commitment to a Ukraine decidedly different — a Ukraine in which journalists and others are guaranteed the freedoms their colleagues in democratic nati ons enjoy. Ms. Gongadze answered questions from audience members, her answers poignant and unreserved, even when the questions touched on very personal matters, including the risk to herself and her daughters. “When my husband died,” she responded, “I vowe d to see that those responsible would pay. Silence and waiting wouldn’t have done this. Yes, there is risk — but there is a God and there is hope. Here, I feel safe. In Ukraine, I have protection. Yes, there is fear. It doesn’t stop me.” Asked about the sta tus of women in the new Ukraine, she responded, “There are no women in the administration . . . but there is a president who says ‘come to Ukraine and see our women get undressed on Khreshchatyk in the spring.’” Asked for a prediction on whether and how Uk raine will dig itself out of its current state, Ms. Gongadze was less than sanguine. “There’s no fast, sure panacea . . . the mentality has to change.” There are, she concluded, “many young idealists, but the system eats them alive. I know young people who could be good leaders, but the system has to change.” Vice President Christine Melnyk closed the program with a note underscoring that the UNWLA is a nonpolitical organization and that speaker’s opinions were not to be construed as the opinions of the UNW LA. Saturday, May 28, 2011 Opening Ceremony and Plenary Sessions On the morning of Saturday, May 28, 2011, members of the UNWLA National Board reprised a longstanding UNWLA convention tradition. Garbed in colorful embroidered blouses, dresses, or ensembles , they marched singly and in pairs into the hall where the day’s plenary sessions would be held. Leading the processional were flagbearers carrying the flags of the UNWLA’s Regional Councils (Detroit, Philadelphia, New York City, Northern New York, New Jer sey, Ohio, Chicago, New England, and Central New York); the Acting Liaison for Branches - at - Large and Regional Council presidents or their designated alternates; and members of the UNWLA National Board and the Executive Committee. The last to enter the hall were Honorary President Iryna Kurowyckyj and President Marianna Zajac, who was greeted with bread and salt and bouquets of flowers and enthusiastically cheered and applauded. Vice President Ulana Zinych led the gathering in reciting the UNWLA prayer and the UNWLA hymn. Giving tribute to their ancestral homeland and to their current homeland, UNWLA members then sang the national anthems of the United States of America and Ukraine. The traditional candle lighting ceremony at the Tree of Life followed, with candles lit by President Marianna Zajac, Honorary President Iryna Kurowyckyj, each Regional Council president (or her alternate), the acting Liaison for Branches at Large, WFUWO’s President Maria Szkambara, and Larysa Darmochval, representing Soyuz Ukraino k of the Ivano - Frankivsk region of Ukraine. As New Jersey Regional Council’s president and Convention Committee Chair, Olha Lukiw welcomed guests and delegates to the XXIX UNWLA Convention and spoke briefly about the wreath that had been selected as the c onvention emblem, both as a reflection of Ukrainian culture and as a symbol of unity. She then turned the proceedings over to UNWLA President Marianna Zajac who, with three firm and resounding taps of a gavel, officially declared the convention open. The president reminded those present that 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the devastating events at Chonorbyl and asked that the victims be honored by a moment of silence. Two UNWLA members of Branch 125 recited moving poems dedicated to the tragedy.
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