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10 WWW.UNWLA.ORG “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, СІЧЕНЬ 2016 the Detroit Regional Council. UNWLA President Marianna Zajac lit the first candle honoring all the UNWLA members. The second candle was lit by Lida Kolodchin, UNWLA Honorary Member and Honorary President of the Detroit Regional Council—for all UNWLA Honorary Members. Vera Andrushkiw, President of the Regional Council, lit the third candle for deceased mem- bers. With this moving tribute we were all united, past and present. To complete this ceremony, Zir- ka Clark-Zubar, 1st Vice President of the Detroit Regional Council, led the gathering in the UN- WLA prayer. We were elated to hear from our honored guest, the Honorable Debbie Stabenow, and grateful for her continued support of Ukraine in its fight for a democratic European future. U.S. Senator Stabenow acknowledged the contribu- tions of the Ukrainian people by bringing diversi- ty and a rich cultural heritage to Michigan. She thanked the Ukrainian women for organizing and being a source of strength and ingenuity to the community. Representing U.S. Congressman Sander Levin, who spearheaded the formation of the Ukrainian Caucus in Congress, and has con- tinuously advocated for the release of the impris- oned Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko, Ms. Amanda York expressed continued support. Ms. Marion Reich representing the International Visi- tors Council of Detroit thanked the Detroit Re- gional Council for hosting the visiting educators from Ukraine in a week-long program of events and activities. She presented the Detroit Regional Council with a plaque of recognition for our in- volvement in the “Open World” project. After the blessing delivered by Reverend Deacon Volodymyr Petriv, the mistress of cere- mony drew the attendees’ attention to the dis- plays alongside one entire wall of the banquet hall. Display boards depicting the projects under- taken and achievements attained by the Detroit Regional Council and its branches were exhibited for everyone's perusal. Just stopping to take in the many photos, articles, and artifacts of the Re- gional Council alone is phenomenal, and when multiplied by the eleven Branches, one can envi- sion how very busy and dedicated our members have been throughout the years. A display of dolls in historically accurate costumes from every region of Ukraine was show- cased by Branch 81 member, Olena Papisz. A life- long project of hers, these dolls have been exhib- ited at various festivals and events throughout the years propagating the beauty of our heritage. Her latest additions to the collection were two dolls— one depicting a Ukrainian modern day female soldier and the other representing the wrongfully imprisoned Ukrainian pilot, Nadiya Savchenko. During dinner we had the pleasure of view- ing a PowerPoint presentation, prepared by Nusha Macielinska, Organizational Chair and member of Branch 96, of members in various events and just enjoying each other's company depicting “camaraderie and teamwork in action.” Musical performances during the meal were pro- vided by members Iryna Svytka, Branch 76, and Maria Holian, President of Branch 81. The keynote speaker for the event was UN- WLA President Marianna Zajac, who congratulat- ed our pioneers in the formation of the Detroit Regional Council, 80 years ago, because they un- derstood the value, potential, and power in work- ing through a united and structured Ukrainian women’s organization. A historical re-enactment of the Detroit Regional Council’s development, growth, and achievements were presented by Branches 129 and 76 members under the direc- tion of Presidents Valentina Shayda and Tetyana Bedrus, respectively. In a dramatic presentation of four vignettes, they represented the UNWLA founding members and other activists of the Re- gional Council throughout the years. Poetry and songs were beautifully delivered by the Branch 76 vocal ensemble “Vyshyvanka”—so appropriately named in view of the identical, stylish Ukrainian blouses worn by the participants. It is important to recognize at these events members who excelled in their voluntary hard work, by contributing hours of their leadership, time, and talents. Marianna Zajac and Vera An- drushkiw presented certificates of recognition, prepared by Nusha Macielinska, to many mem- bers, but three received special awards. The first to be honored was Professor Emerita Assya K. Humesky, Ph.D., a member of Branch 50 in Ann Arbor, who as the second inductee to the Michigan Ukrainian-American Women’s Hall of Fame was presented with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the UNWLA Detroit Regional Council. Two members, Lydia Jachnycky and Irene Petrina , both members of Branch 96, were awarded Honorary Presi- dents of the Detroit Okruha for their years of valued leadership and service. Although the program officially came to an end with the benediction by Rev. Father Mario Dacechen, OSBM and Rev. Father Vasyl Shayda, the festive mood of the members continued well into the evening with an afterglow gathering at the home of Okruha President, Vera Andrushkiw. In a relaxed atmosphere we enjoyed the company of our dear guest Marianna Zajac and had the op-
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