To mark our 100th anniversary, the UNWLA’s Culture and Archives Committees, in collaboration with the Museum of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Kyiv, organized UKRAЇNКИ – a landmark historical and art exhibition celebrating the strength, creativity, and lasting impact of Ukrainian women’s leadership and activism in the U.S. and around the world.
“For 100 years, members of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America have worked tirelessly to support the people of Ukraine, preserve our rich cultural heritage, and promote the vibrancy of modern Ukrainian culture. This commitment to service, advocacy, and cultural stewardship has helped sustain public awareness and support for Ukraine across generations. We are incredibly proud to share this legacy with our sisters in Ukraine and to contribute to building a united global community of Ukrainian women – strong, resilient, and deeply connected by purpose and pride in who we are.”
– Natalie Pawlenko, UNWLA President
The exhibition highlights two key themes:
A Century of Sisterhood
Rare archival materials tell the story of UNWLA’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine and preserving its cultural identity in the diaspora.
Ukrainian-American Women in Art
Sixteen Ukrainian-American women artists across generations are featured in this newly donated collection—now part of the Museum’s permanent holdings thanks to UNWLA’s support. From pre-WWII émigré artists to contemporary voices like Maya Hayuk and Inka Essenhigh, the exhibit showcases paintings, graphics, sculptures, and symbolic motankafigures by Olga Rondiak.
“This is the first time many of these works are presented in Ukraine – offering a powerful tribute to generations of Ukrainian-American women and their role in Ukraine’s story,” adds Hanna Leksina, director of the Museum.
The exhibition showcased the 100-year history of one of the oldest Ukrainian diaspora organizations in the United States – the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) – and, for the first time, presented to the public a collection of works by contemporary Ukrainian-American women artists.
Donation of these archival and art materials was coordinated by National Archives Chair Orysia Soroka, UNWLA member Maria Shust, with the support of the UNWLA’s National Chair of the Culture Committee, Oksana Piaseckyj. The exhibition features the work of Lydia Bodnar-Balahutrak, Maya Hayuk, Adriana Henkels, Marta Hirniak-Voyevidka, Yulia Gacio, Inka Essenhigh, Nina Klymovska, Khrystyna Kudryk, Yulia Pinkusevich, Lydia Piaseckyj, Olga Rondiak, Khrystyna Say, and Ilona Sochynska.
“Despite distance from their homeland, the works reflect deep Ukrainian roots—through themes, symbols, and artistic language,” says curator Oksana Pidsukha.
The official opening of the UKRAЇNКИ project took place with the participation of key cultural leaders, including Serhiy Anzhyyak, Head of the Department of Culture of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA); Victoria Mukha, Director General of the Museum of the History of the City of Kyiv; Anna Leksina, Head of the Museum of the Ukrainian Diaspora; and Oksana Pidsukha, curator of the exhibition and Acting Director General of the Kyiv Art Gallery. Artists Yulia Gacio and Olga Rondiak traveled from the U.S. to attend the event in person, and Natalie Pawlenko, President of UNWLA, joined the opening ceremony online.
We were also honored to welcome distinguished guests at the opening, including Serhiy Kyslytsya, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Kateryna Yushchenko, wife of Ukraine’s third President Viktor Yushchenko; Vlada Lytovchenko, Director of the Vyshhorod Historical and Cultural Reserve; Yuriy Savchuk, Director of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War; and Svitlana Strelnikova, Director of the National Research and Restoration Center of Ukraine.
Photo gallery from the exhibition opening day
