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14 WWW. UNWLA.ORG “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ВЕРЕСЕНЬ 2012 UNWLA and the First Steps of Alliance with Soyuz Ukrayinok of Ukraine The news of the fall of the Soviet Union and the subsequent Independence of Ukraine in 1991 spread like wildfire throughout the world. So, too, did the hope that a new path from communist total i- tarianism to democracy and from socialism to capitalism would follow. The early feelings of elation soon gave way to the realization that hardships and obstacles lay ahead. The first reaction of the UNWLA leadership and membership was to establish communication with and to offer assistance to the citizens of Ukraine, especiall y the women and youth, who were seen as the backbone, the strength , and the future of their homeland and its newly found sovereignty. Maria Sawchak , the UNWLA P resident at the time, took the first steps in that direction by hos t- ing Soyuz Ukrayinok of Uk raine’s President Atena Pashko, Maria Drach of Zhinocha Hromada , and others at UNWLA Headquarters in New York City. In celebration of Ukraine’s first anniversary of I n- dependence in 1992, she traveled to Ukraine and learned of important changes in the women’s mov e- ment, especially the revival of Soyuz Ukrayinok of Ukraine (SUU) under the leadership of President Atena Pashko. I first met Mrs. Pashko in New York City and later in 1992, when Ms. Orysia Jacus (UNWLA Scholarship Progr am Committee treasurer) and I traveled to Ukraine to develop ties for the expa n- sion of the UNWLA Scholarship/Children - Student Sponsorship Program. Over the years, our official relationship came to include a personal one as well. Upon learning the sad news of her passing on March 20, 2012, in Kyiv, Ukraine, I not only felt that the UNWLA and SUU lost an icon, but that I had lost a friend as well . Although we were of “di f- ferent” worlds, we represented organizations with the same aspirations and goals. On man y occasions we discussed articles of UNWLA Bylaws and found similarities and differences to those of SUU. The UNWLA's activities were guided by its bylaws and by its federal non - profit tax - exempt status under IRS Code Section 501 (c) (3) that included poli tical non - partisanship (thus excluding political i n- volvement), by the principles of Christian ethics, religious tolerance, and by its support of human rights. SUU’s agenda included participation in d e- mocratization and the revival of national and cu l- tural i dentity in their own homeland. During my first visit to Ukraine in Septe m- ber 1992 with Ms. Jacus, we met with President Pashko and explained our program and desire to include Ukraine. We needed to find dependable people to coordinate the UNWLA Scholars hip Pr o- gram’s activities in Ukraine, and the most logical answer was their organization. The concept of priority being given to underprivileged, often o r- phaned, pupils and students, and not exclusively to talented ones, was new to them. Individual spo n- sor ship by benefactors who funded scholarships was also unique. That we gave special attention to educating young women raised in Ukraine’s chil d- ren’s homes, who were not considered for higher education (whereas young men had open doors to the universities af ter mandatory military service), was misunderstood by many. Detailed requir e- ments for applicants were also on the table. In the summer of 1993, I participated in SUU and the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations’ (WFUWO) First Intern a- tional Women’s Conference, “Ukrainian Woman and Democracy,” in Kyiv. The main purpose of this event was to outline the possibility for Ukrainian women to become active participants in the process of democratizing their society. In my c a- pacity as UNWLA Pres ident, I had an opportunity to meet with SUU’s leadership headed by President Atena Pashko. As a result , they adopted our pr o- posal and agreed to form SUU’s Scholarship Pr o- gram Committee at their headquarters in Kyiv. In the beginning, Soyuz Ukrayinok ’ s first Vice Pres i- dent, Iryna Kravchuk, was appointed to be in charge of our new joint project. Thereafter, the SUU Scholarship Program Committee was chaired by Tamara Velychko and since 1996, by Ilisa (Alla) Debeliuk. For better coordination and distributio n of stipends, SUU’s oblasts’ representatives reco m- mended students from their respective regions. Effective coordination and responsibility were of the essence, and it has worked successfully for the last 19 years. For this we are very grateful to pa r- tici pating SUU members, especially to Alla Deb e- liuk, who expertly oversees this joint project. UNWLA Social Welfare projects, chaired by Lidia Czernyk (1984 – 1999), followed, including medical aid to children, the victims of the Chorno - byl nuclear disaster; h umanitarian aid to orphans and grandmothers; and in 1999, with the help of the Ukrainian American community, large scale
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