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8 OUR LIFE • January-February 2025 Years after my grandmother became a Soyuzianka, my mother, Sophia Parchin Kotyk, joined UNWLA Branch 72, which met at the Ukrainian Institute on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She quickly became involved on its Board: as a recording and corresponding secretary, a treasurer, and its president. Other prominent UNWLA women — like Mss. Polche, Lesawyer, Liteplo, and Dushnyk — were members of this branch and served as officers. My moth - er’s branch actively helped to host a UNWLA Convention in Manhattan, and she later served on a Regional Council. When I was seven years old, I stamped postcards that would be mailed to branch members advising them of an upcoming Uprava or general meeting. I practiced English and Ukrainian penmanship while addressing the post - cards to each member. If my mother Sophia got a lift to a meeting from my Tato, I accompanied them and periodi - cally attended meetings with my mother. My father would often take me to nearby attractions: the Central Park Zoo, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Guggenheim Museum, where I could gaze at exotic animals, a mysteri - ous mummy, or a puzzling abstract painting. Periodically, I participated in an embroidery or pysanka workshop at the Ukrainian Institute offered by Branch 72. On other oc - casions, I attended a book reading or curious lecture, or wandered into an inviting library or gallery at the Institute to check out the books or admire beautiful art. In the mid-1960s, my mother's branch hosted a Ukrain - ian craft and embroidery display at the New York City World's Fair. The display was arranged at the New York State pavilion. My older sister and I participated in our own costumes before and after performances with Nina Sulima's Ukrainian dance troupe at the Fair. Predictably, as a teenager, I became a member of a UNWLA “junior” branch in NYC. Later, as a married wom - an, I joined branches in New Jersey. And when my hus - band and I retired and moved to Florida, I finally landed at Branch 56 in North Port. I have known some of our mem - bers since childhood. On the 100th anniversary of Soyuz Ukrainok, I look back at its rich history and reflect on what this organization has meant to so many women in this nation and to me, specif - ically. I consider how outstanding our good work has been for families and young women in other countries, through humanitarian relief and scholarships to students on several continents. When I recall these decades-old memories, I ad - mire the tapestry that our history has created, and know that my ancestors played a role in its formation, support, and con - tinuation. And I celebrate how significant we all have been in the history of this country, Ukraine, and the world. All photos are from the Zalisko family album. Pat in costume before a dance performance at the New York World’s Fair (New York State Pavilion). Photo: Oksana Piaseckyj Pat (right) was recently honored for her 50+ years of UNWLA membership. With her is Inia Tunstall, president of Branch 56.
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