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14 WWW. UNWLA.ORG “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, СІЧЕНЬ 2013 In the last issue of 2012, we assessed our work and projects for that year; as 2013 b e- gins, UNWLA’s leadership moves forward by i n- tending to focus enthusiastically on building our organization’s newest initiatives as well as on strengthening those in exist ence. We will especia l- ly continue to focus on the organization’s structure and membership — reinforcing our Regional Cou n- cil and Branch leadership while, at the same time, looking for new opportunities for membership. 2013 will be the 88th year of UNWLA’s continued dedication to the Ukrainian diaspora and the 70th since the first issue of Our Life was published. There are decades of world events and community history within this extensive time frame — events which solidly influenced our organization’s evolve - ment and assignments. In her book, Duma Ukrainy — zhinochoho rodu (Kyiv: Voskresinnia, 1993), Dr. Martha Bohachevsky - Chomiak writes about “historical memory” that “Every generation wants to knows its past, and every one of them asks a different question ab out this past. Although it is impossible to capture the past in its entirety, when we exa m- ine the activity of groups in recent history, a fuller picture of our entire history will emerge.” Although Dr. Bohachevsky - Chomiak is referring to the e x- a m ination of organizations within Ukraine in o r- der to fully understand Ukraine’s history, this broad introductory statement in her book can be easily applied to the UNWLA as a women’s and community organization and its integral history in shaping the U.S. diaspora. In order to create our “historical memory,” we have invited Dr. Marta Kichorowska - Kebalo (with the future assistance of Iryna Koshulap) to write the history of the UNWLA (in English). This book will focus on the UNWLA’s dual role — important community orga nization which helped build the diaspora as well as an integral contrib u- tor to the U.S. women’s movement. Dr. Kichorow - ska - Kebalo is deep into the research process, is becoming familiar with our archives, and is exa m- ining interesting approaches to analyzing decades of UNWLA activity. The intent is for the book to be ready by May 2014, the date of the next Conve n- tion. We look forward to supporting Dr. Kichorow - ska - Kebalo in this project. Knowing that I would be in the North Port, Florida, vicinity in December, I requested a mee t- ing with the UNWLA Honorary members of Branch 56. (Please see photo on p. 3 — Honorary Members M. Nawarynska, I. Martynec, I. Ratych and M. Chiminec — with Anne - Marie Susla, Br. 56 President, and Lida Bilous, National 4th VP Publ ic Relations.) These remarkable women are part of our history, BUT they are also part of the UNWLA’s present. My goal was to really listen to these dedicated UNWLA members, to understand the source of their dedication, and perhaps to tra v- el with them on t heir decades - long UNWLA road, learning from their wisdom. (Anna Macielinski, VP organizational and membership, and Orysia Zinych, Branches at Large liaison, had already i n- terviewed these honorary members in February 2009 as part of a nationwide awareness c ampaign. These interviews were an important contribution to our archives.) Three of the four ladies grew up in families where their mothers belonged to women’s organ i- zations, and they followed their mothers’ example. The values of community responsibility , helping others, and volunteerism were instilled at an early age. No doubt, times have changed. We are faced with a generation that is focusing on succeeding in the professional and material worlds. But is this the only and most important measure of succe ss? Most of our parents lived frugally and modestly due to the circumstances surrounding their imm i- gration, but an important element of their lives was building their local communities. How do we instill this deep - seated commitment to protect and co n- tinue our institutions and organizations, including the UNWLA, into our children’s psyche? This is the key to the Ukrainian - American future and has been repeatedly discussed: can we ever hope to wield this key in a way that would open the door to solving this cr ucial problem? On the other side of this locked door is a plethora of talented young women who could develop the organization for the future. On a rational basis, these women may agree that they should be carrying on this legacy, but HOW do we touch their spirit? Is there a way to instill in them the fire and sparkle I saw in the eyes of my interviewees? Is it possible that the stat e- ment by younger women that they are “too busy” to volunteer in the UNWLA is a “copout,” an e x- cuse? Certainly, a few hours or less a month could not be a burden. Perhaps this excuse is fueled by a lack of this fire in their spirit? All of the Honorary Members gave more or less the same list of positive feedback from their membership in the UNWLA — the contact and c a- maraderie with other Ukrainian - American women, the satisfaction they felt in their community work and accomplishments, and the recognition they received for their contributions to the UNWLA and their communities. These ladies also felt that, through their organizational work, they were able to share their unique talents and professional skills. Each one of us needs positive reinforcement from our peers, and this was also an important fa c- tor to our Honorary Members.
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