Skip to content
Call Us Today! 212-533-4646 | MON-FRI 12PM - 4PM (EST)
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
Search for:
About Us
UNWLA 100
Publications
FAQ
Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Initiatives
Advocate
Educate
Cultivate
Care
News
Newsletters
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Join UNWLA
Become a Member
Volunteer With Us
Donate to UNWLA
Members Portal
Calendar
Shop to Support Ukraine
Search for:
Print
Print Page
Download
Download Page
Download Right Page
Open
1
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-21
22-23
24-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
32-33
34-35
36-37
38-39
40-41
42-43
44-45
46-47
48-49
50-51
52-53
54-55
56-57
58-59
60-61
62-63
64-65
66-67
68-69
70-71
72-73
74-75
76-77
78-79
80-81
82-83
84-85
86-87
88-89
90-91
92-93
94-95
96-97
98-99
100-101
102-103
104-105
106-107
108-109
110-111
112-113
114-115
116-117
118-119
120-121
122-123
124-125
126-127
128-129
130-131
132-133
134-135
136-137
138-139
140-141
142-143
144-145
146-147
148-149
150-151
152-153
154-155
156-157
158-159
160-161
162-163
164-165
166-167
168-169
170-171
172-173
174-175
176-177
178-179
180-181
182-183
184-185
186-187
188-189
190-191
192-193
194-195
196-197
198-199
200-201
202-203
204-205
206-207
208-209
210-211
212-213
214-215
216-217
218-219
220-221
222-223
224-225
226-227
228-229
230-231
232-233
234-235
236-237
238-239
240-241
242-243
244-245
246-247
248-249
250-251
252-253
254-255
256-257
258-259
260-261
262-263
264-265
266-267
268-269
270-271
272-273
274-275
276-277
278-279
280-281
282-283
284-285
286-287
288-289
290-291
292-293
294-295
296-297
298-299
300-301
302-303
304-305
THE CHALLENGING YEARS 1925 — 1984 There is a saying that “a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” Such a step had been taken in 1925 by women from five independent organizations who had great vision and formed a nationwide network of women of Ukrainian heritage with set objec tives. This network of women became known as the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Inc. and flourished under the leadership of its first President, Julia Shustakewych. Solidarity and community responsibility in their adopted land were built into the fiber and consciousness of our pioneer members. In the challenging years ahead, the energy and creativity of these UNWLA members is well known and was never more apparent than in such outstanding exhibits of folk art in the Ukrainian Pavilion at the World’s Fair in Chicago during 1933-34, and in the annual Women’s International Exposition in New York City. Thus, these women contributed their rich Ukrainian culture heritage to the cultural treasures of America. Social and economic challenges also gave impetus to further developing the spirit of humanitarianism and patriotism of the women in the League. They gave aid to the victims of the Great Famine in Ukraine in 1932-33; and following World War II gave aid to displaced persons in the United States, and participated in the volunteer work of the American Red Cross, the United Ukrainian-American Relief Committee and the Ukrainian Catholic Relief Committee. The members adapted themselves to conditions of wartime, survived the Great Depression, and met all emergencies that arose. Over the years, the UNWLA has fought for just causes and has vigorously protested the inhumane treatment of Ukrainian dissidents under the Soviet regime. In addition, it continues to stress the ongoing struggle against Ukraine’s domination and intensified Russification policies. The multi-faceted activities of the League include the granting of scholarships, sponsor ing pre-kindergarten schools and various children programs, literary and educational con tests and art exhibits. In addition, the organization has published cassettes for children, edu cational handbooks, and a bilingual monthly magazine “Our Life” featuring articles on a wide variety of subjects for all its readers. Of paramount importance has been the publication of the works of Sophia Russova titled “ Ukraine In Literary Works;” the selected works of Lesya Ukrainka, as translated into English by Dr. Percival Cundy, titled “Spirit of Flame;” and “Woman of Ukraine,” which relates the Ukrainian woman’s part on the scene of history, in literature, arts, and the struggle for freedom. In commemorating the centennary of feminine activism in western Ukraine, the UNWLA has brought to fruition the reprinting of “The First Garland” (Pershyi Vinok) which was first edited and published in 1887 by Natalia Kobrynska and Olena Pchilka. Among the League’s notable achievements in the Ukrainian community was the estab lishment of The Ukrainian Museum in New York. This institution functions as a center of information and research for all who are interested in the cultural and artistic achievements of the Ukrainian people. Its unique and rare collection of folk art, including embroideries, ceramics, historic costumes and ornate wood-carvings, has won wide acclaim in the media and draws a capacity crowd to their exhibits. Since its inception, the UNWLA has been and still remains as the central force speaking for the Ukrainian woman in America. As a member of the National Council of Women of the United States since 1952, and an associate member of the General Federation of Women’s 60 www.unwla.org
Page load link
Go to Top
