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A Century of Educational Advocacy: The UNWLA’S Enduring Commitment to Learning 8 OUR LIFE • September-October 2025 Education has always been essential to preserving Ukrainian identity and helping both Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians understand Ukraine’s history, culture, and ongoing struggle for freedom. Since its founding in 1925, the UNWLA has made education a top priority, helping generations of Ukrainians in the diaspora stay connected to their heritage. Over the decades, the UNWLA has supported — and in some cities, established — Ukrainian schools and Svit - lychka preschools, awarded scholarships, and led a wide range of educational initiatives. Today, in an age of dis - information, education remains a powerful tool. By pro- moting historical truth, introducing Ukrainian books into American libraries, partnering with academic institu- tions, and elevating Ukrainian voices, the UNWLA helps build a more informed and empathetic society. Global Educational Support The UNWLA’s educational mission has long reached be- yond the borders of the United States. Since 1967, the organization has provided scholarships to over 24,000 students in South America and Europe, enabling many underprivileged young people to pursue higher educa- tion (see “UNWLA Scholarship/Children-Student Spon - sorship Program: A Brief History” beginning on page 14). In addition to formal academic support, the UNWLA has enriched Ukrainian communities through cultural and educational programming — organizing commemo- rations, roundtables, lectures, and holiday celebrations. These activities deepened community engagement, and by the end of 1991, the UNWLA had grown to include over 107 branches ( viddily ) across the country. The UNWLA also played a pioneering role in social sup - port and early childhood education. One notable initia - tive, Mother and Child, offered affidavits and relocation assistance to widows with children and to single wom- en. To support these families, the UNWLA purchased a shelter in Philadelphia, which served approximately 150 women and children and included a daycare center led by educator Maria Yurkevych. The UNWLA’s commitment to early childhood educa- tion gained further momentum in the 1960s and 1970s: • 1964 – The first Svitlychka (Ukrainian-language pre - school programs launched in displaced persons camps across Germany and Austria in the postwar years and later expanded to Ukrainian communities throughout the U.S.) was established in Cleveland by Branch 33 un - Anna Petelina , UNWLA National Education Chair (Branch 143, Jersey City, NJ) With the Mother and Child program, 150 widows and children were taken under the UNWLA’s wing in Philadelphia. Програма «Мати і дитина», 150 вдів і дітей під егідою СУА у Філядельфії. A Koliada staged at a public library, 1963. «Коляда» у публічній бібліотеці, 1963 р.
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