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26 OUR LIFE • June 2023 Branch 118 invited the Houston Ukrainian community to a celebration on Sunday, March 26, honoring the women who established the first UNWLA Branch in Texas over 50 years ago. Held in the parish hall of Pokrova Ukrainian Catholic Church in Houston, the event began with remarks by Juliana Villacorta, the newly elected Branch president. Tetyana Lytvynchuk read the Prayer of Soyuz Ukrai- nok in Ukrainian, just as it was read in 1971. Its words remarkably cor - related to many of the same sentiments we are praying for today with regard to peace in Ukraine. Martha Noukas, who has been a Soyuzian - ka for over 45 years and who, at age 13, was present at the creation of the first UNWLA Branch in Texas (where her mother was elected presi- dent), shared her recollections and read the minutes of the installation of the first Branch in Texas. Martha Noukas , Treasurer, Branch 118, Houston, TX UNWLA Celebrates 50 + Years in Texas In January 1971, a group of twelve women from the small Ukraini- an community in Houston held a meeting to organize the first UNWLA Branch in Texas. Justyna Uschak (Martha Noukas’s mother) provided information about the UNWLA, its by-laws and constitu- tion. The organization’s history and purposes were discussed, and a vote took place shortly thereafter. Justyna Uschak was elected presi- dent of the Branch, Anita Wheeler vice-president, Helen Evans secre- tary, and Irene Pawlowski treasur - er. Also part of the newly organized Branch were Marcia Crabb, Kather - ine Sawdowsky, Nina Yuchnewicz, Anna Slavych, Anne Slavych, Anna Zablockyj, Sophie Kryckyj, Aganita Jakushew, and Sophie Moszkewicz. The Branch was officially chris- tened Branch 14 in February 1971 by UNWLA vice-president Lydia Burachynska, and Branch 14 subsequently chose the name “Unknown Heroines” in honor of the Ukrainian women who made untold sacrifices in the struggle against their communist captors. Martha Noukas, Kozak Siromaha, and Branch 118 president Juliana Villacorta. REMEMBERING: A SHORT HISTORY OF THE FIRST UNWLA BRANCH IN TEXAS Branch 14 organized a pre-Lenten supper, a program entitled Holiday for Heroes, a Sviat Vechir, and a commemoration of Lesia Ukrainka, and took part in the Slavic Alliance of Houston Slavic Heritage Festi- vals during Justyna Uschak’s three- year term. She was succeeded by Helen Evans (1974–1975) and Maria Jarosh (1976–1977). The Branch was short-lived, dissolving due to lack of membership, but a new Branch was formed in 1978 – Branch 118 – which is functioning and active in Houston today! A Panakhyda (memorial service) had been held at the church ear - lier in the day, in memory of all the Soyuzianky who had passed away. Of the three living mem - bers of Branch 14, only two were present at the 50+ celebration: Justyna Uschak and Irene Paw - lowski. These two ladies were honored for their love of Ukrain - ian culture and tradition, and for establishing the first UNWLA Branch in Texas. They were each invited to say a few words, and each received a UNWLA pin and Justyna Uschak (left) and Irene Pawlowski, the two surviving mem- bers of Branch 14. bouquet of sunflowers. Irene Pawlowski brought a poster of photos of the Houston Ukraini - an community in the 1970s and a book written by the late Victor Balaban. Irene Pawlowski and Justyna Uschak both give much credit and thanks to Victor Bal- aban for his encouragement and support in the establishment of the UNWLA branch in Houston.
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