Ukrainian National Women's League of America

Ukrainian National Women's League of America

Abbreviation	UNWLA
Formation	1925
Type	NGO
Legal status	association
Membership	individual
President	Natalie Pawlenko
Website	www.unwla.org

The Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA) is a charitable and cultural organization that unites women of Ukrainian descent and affiliation. Since its establishment in 1945, the organization has launched numerous social welfare, culture, and education projects, aiming to support the Ukrainian people in Ukraine and diasporas. It works independently as a charitable and cultural organization and has been granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service.

Since February 2022, UNWLA has shifted to focus more on humanitarian aid operations in response to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. According to the recent DEMAC report, UNWLA raised approximately $750,000 for Ukrainian humanitarian aid in one month.^[1] The organization continues fundraising and advocacy events to address the Russian invasion.

Structure

UNWLA Bylaws define the internal organizational structure and the division of responsibilities and duties.^[2] The highest legislative body of the UNWLA is the UNWLA Convention, which is held every three years. The organizational structure of the UNWLA consists of a National Board and executive committee, Regional Councils, Branches, and Members at Large.

History

Founding

Established in 1925 by five Ukrainian women's associations in the New York City area, the UNWLA was inspired by the women's organization that flourished in western Ukraine in the 1920–30s, Ukrainian Women's League, Союз Українок, from which the UNWLA adopted its name. The initial goal was to unite all Ukrainian women's groups in the United States under one umbrella to help their homeland that was struggling for national independence in the center of Eastern Europe and coordinate efforts to provide long-distance humanitarian aid. Another important goal was to inform the free world about events in Ukraine, to support the homeland both spiritually and materially, and to promote the preservation of Ukrainian national identity, cultural heritage, and ethnic traditions in the United States. While originally focused on alleviating the struggles of Ukraine, fundraising and volunteer work resulted in the building of churches and community centers, children's education, and the establishment of scholarly and cultural institutions.

The reason for unification was the exclusion of the National Council of Women (NCW) of Ukraine from the International Council of Women at the ICW's General Assembly held in Washington, D.C., in May 1925. The NCW of Ukraine has been a member of the ICW since 1920. Its exclusion from the ICW occurred as a direct result of Ukraine's loss of national sovereignty, a prerequisite for ICW membership.

The name given to the new organization was "Soyuz Ukrayinok Ameryky" - Ukrainian National Women's League of America.

International Women's Movement

During the UNWLA's early years, the organization found support from the International Institutes of the YWCA, a program established by Edith Bremer (1865–1964). Its philosophy validates immigrant women's values of ethnic pride and retention of culture. UNWLA members promoted the Ukrainian presence in America with exhibitions of folk art and cultural performances in venues such as the annual Women's International Exposition in New York City. The folk art exhibit installed at the Ukrainian Pavilion at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair became the cornerstone of The Ukrainian Museum collection.

In 1948, as UNWLA gained recognition, the organization became the first ethnic organization in the United States to become an associate member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Joining the GFWC gave the UNWLA standing to participate in national and international events on an equal footing with other American women's organizations. UNWLA President Olena D. Lototsky served on the board of directors of the American Federation of International Institutes (1953–1959) and in 1958, was honored as a Woman of Achievement alongside other ethnic and minority group leaders. In 1952 the UNWLA was admitted to the National Council of Women of the United States (NCW) of the United States. In 1993, Iryna Kurowyckyj (UNWLA President, 1999–2008) was elected president of the NCW, the first woman of Ukrainian descent to hold this top position of women's representation in the country.

Since the same 1948, the UNWLA has also been a founding member of the World Federation of the Ukrainian Women's Organizations (WFUWO).^[3] This organization gave Ukrainian women in non-Soviet countries an entrance into the sector of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), direct involvement in the United Nations, and access to international women's conferences.

References

^ "Diaspora organizations and their humanitarian response in Ukraine 2022" (PDF). DEMAC. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
^ "UNWLA Bylaws" (PDF). UNWLA BYLAWS. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
^ [1] Official website of the World Federation of the Ukrainian Women's Organizations