In November 1933, the National Board of the UNWLA and NY area branches formed a committee to disseminate awareness about the Famine in Ukraine. Correspondent for the YMCA, Florence G. Caccisit, and writer, Carvet Wells, accepted the invitation to join the effort.
With the assistance of Congressman John Delaney and others, the 73rd Congress passed Resolution 399 in May 1934 which stated in part that the “famine was a means of decreasing the population of Ukraine, to destroy Ukrainians politically, culturally, and…[to destroy] their national rights.”
Illustration: archived photos of UNWLA-led protests over the years to bring awareness and commemorate victims of Holodomor.
Today the UNWLA is an affiliate member of the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor Genocide Awareness.
The work undertaken by the UNWLA includes:
• Raising awareness and recognition of the Holodomor as a genocide through requests for gubernatorial proclamations
• Holding Holodomor exhibits and educational lectures
• Advocating for the inclusion of the Holodomor in genocide studies
Vera Andrushkiw, former President of the Detroit Regional Council, has created Holodomor teaching materials for teachers and students. You can view and download the English language presentation at the following link: http://bit.ly/2FBAVYa
More information can be obtained at www.ukrainegenocide.com
Instagram: @holodoraware
Simultaneously with supporting international, diaspora-led initiatives, UNWLA members have been organizing local commemorative events and educational initiatives to raise awareness of the Holodomor and advocate for its global recognition as the genocide of the Ukrainian people.
Following its mission to support members and the wider Ukrainian-American community, UNWLA has developed a Holodomor Commemoration Toolkit — a resource offering strategies and ideas for raising awareness and organizing meaningful remembrance events.
