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CHRISTINA M. JAREMA ENGLISH CORRESPONDING, SECRETARY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Since joining the Ukrainian National Woman’s League of America, I have worked with the other women in the organization to try to raise awareness about Ukrainian culture and to provide help to those in need, specifically those in Ukraine or of Ukrainian descent or affiliation. A few years ago, I was approached by UNWLA President Iryna Kurowyckyj, who asked if I would be interested in working in the organization in a different capacity in the future. Since my great grandmother, Julia Jarema, had been one of the founders of this organization, I, of course, said yes. Soon after this, Mrs. Kurowyckyj invited me to run for office and serve as English-language Corresponding Secretary of the Executive Committee during her term. As part of my responsibilities, and in preparation for the upcoming convention, I have helped the president write letters and compile reports. It was difficult for me to participate in the meetings as they were always held in Ukrainian, but the ladies were always helpful in translating the proceedings to me; I am especially grateful to them for that. During my tenure as Corresponding Secretary, I have tried to help out with various functions, but most of my contributions have been centered outside the office. In fact, most of my work for the UNWLA occurs out and about with my colleagues in work and people I meet through them. I could not believe some of the things I heard from some of these ladies! When I asked about their background, they would state they were Russian. Drilling for further information, I would ask "what part of Russia?" They would reply with Kyiv or Lviv. I could not believe that after all the hard work of previous generations to pre serve the Ukrainian culture and language and history that these individuals now considered themselves Russian. They even spoke Ukrainian and called it Russian. To me it was blasphemous! I tried to educate these women about the history of Ukraine and why it was so important for them to recognize their true identity. I pointed out that they were not only lying to themselves but ignoring the fact that communism was still ruling their lives, perpetuating inaccuracies about their culture, nation, traditions, and, most importantly, language. I tried to explain to them that in the same way genocide of the Ukrainian nation was conducted in 1930-1933 through famine, genocide of the Ukrainian culture was being conducted through lies and "russification" and that Ukrainian people were condoning and contribut ing to this cultural genocide by disregarding their true identity. By stating that they were born in "Russia" and that the language they spoke was "Russian," they were participating in this genocide and ensuring that the name "Ukraine" would not last long. Ladies, there is much more work out there for us to do before we can fully recognize a solidly independent Ukraine. Bringing the country of our ancestors back to the splendor it once enjoyed will be a difficult task. Too many Ukrainians, here and in Ukraine, do not recognize that even when Ukraine was ruled by other countries, its people were and still are Ukrainian at heart. It is up to us to restore this ideal and fight to preserve our true identity. We are Ukrainians and no one can take that away from us but ourselves. 88 XXVII Конвенція СУА www.unwla.org
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