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18 OUR LIFE • July 2025 A Century of Building Partnerships and Alliances As the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) celebrates its centen - nial, it stands as a testament to the power of collaboration. For 100 years, the UNWLA has built bridges — linking Ukrainian wom - en across generations, forging alliances with major women’s organizations, and co-found - ing institutions that continue to shape Ukrainian advocacy on a global scale. These partnerships have expanded the UNWLA’s reach, strengthened its impact, and ensured that the voices of Ukrainian women resonate far beyond their immediate communities. From its inception, the UNWLA sought legitimacy and guidance from established women’s organizations, gaining institutional knowledge, educational resources, and na - tional recognition. In the 1930s and 1940s, its involvement with the International Institutes of the YWCA provided critical support for immigrant Ukrainian women and youth, of - fering language courses, vocational training, and a roadmap for integration into American society without sacrificing cultural identity. These early collaborations set the stage for the UNWLA’s longstanding commitment to education and empowerment. In 1948, the UNWLA became the first eth - nic women’s organization in the U.S. to join the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC). This affiliation gave Ukrainian wom - en a national platform for advocacy, ampli - fying their efforts in humanitarian aid, refugee resettle - ment, and Cold War-era activism. The UNWLA mobilized relief efforts for displaced Ukrainians after World War II, sending essential supplies to refugee camps and advo - cating for the resettlement of thousands in the United States. At the height of the Cold War, the UNWLA leveraged its connections to expose Soviet human rights violations, including the repression of Ukrainian political prison - ers and the forced erasure of Ukrainian identity behind the Iron Curtain. Through its participation in national women’s organizations, it brought these issues to the attention of policymakers and the media, ensuring that Ukraine’s struggle for freedom was not forgotten. Global Leadership: Founding Ukrainian Institutions Beyond collaborating with American women’s organ - izations, the UNWLA played a decisive role in uniting Ukrainian voices on the global stage. In 1948, it became a co-founder of the World Federation of Ukrainian Wom - en’s Organizations (WFUWO), strengthening internation - al cooperation among Ukrainian women’s groups and amplifying advocacy for Ukraine in international forums. The UNWLA also helped establish the Ukrainian Con - gress Committee of America (UCCA) in 1940, shaping the political and advocacy strategies of the Ukrainian American community. Later, in 1967, it played a key role in founding the World Congress of Free Ukrainians (now the Ukrainian World Congress, UWC), an organization that continues to champion Ukraine’s sovereignty and cultural preservation worldwide. These institutions re - main pillars of Ukrainian diaspora activism, thanks in no small part to the UNWLA’s vision and leadership. Strengthening Advocacy and Women’s Leadership (1950s–1990s) In 1952, the UNWLA deepened its advocacy work by gain - ing membership in the National Council of Women of the United States (NCW), giving Ukrainian women a voice in discussions on human rights, education, and social justice at the national level. By the 1970s, it used this platform to highlight the plight of Ukrainian dissidents in Soviet labor camps, pushing for U.S. intervention on their behalf. The 1980s and 1990s saw the UNWLA at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, including medical aid for victims of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Although never an of - ficial Red Cross partner, the UNWLA frequently worked alongside the organization to provide critical support, from medical relief to financial assistance for affected families. Natalie Pawlenko , UNWLA President The UNWLA co-founded the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations (WFUWO) on November 12, 1948.
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