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 aims to unite women of Ukrainian descent and affiliation. Established in 1925, the organization has launched numerous social welfare, cultural, and educational projects aimed at supporting the Ukrainian people both in Ukraine and in diasporas.

It works independently as a charitable and cultural organization and has been granted a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service.

Since February 2022, the UNWLA has shifted its focus to humanitarian aid operations in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to a recent DEMAC report, the UNWLA raised approximately $750,000 for Ukrainian humanitarian aid within a month. The organization continues fundraising and organizing advocacy events to address the Russian invasion.

Structure

The UNWLA bylaws outline the organization's internal structure and delineate the distribution of responsibilities and duties. The highest decision-making body within the UNWLA is the UNWLA Convention, convened every three years. The organization's structure comprises a National Board and executive committee, Regional Councils, Branches, and Members-at-Large.

History

The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) was founded in 1925, and is the oldest and largest Ukrainian women’s organization in the United States. The organization, grounded in Christian ethics, is dedicated to religious tolerance, political neutrality, and human rights. It informs the global community about events in Ukraine, while supporting their homeland spiritually and materially, and preserving Ukrainian identity, culture, and traditions in the U.S.

Founding

The UNWLA, founded in 1925 by five Ukrainian women's groups in New York, was inspired by the Ukrainian Women's League in western Ukraine. Its mission was to unite Ukrainian women's organizations in the U.S. to support Ukraine's fight for independence and provide humanitarian aid. Key goals included raising awareness about Ukraine, offering spiritual and material support, and preserving Ukrainian identity and culture in the U.S. Initially focused on aiding Ukraine, its efforts expanded to building churches, community centers, and cultural institutions. The UNWLA was formed after the National Council of Women of Ukraine was excluded from the International Council of Women due to Ukraine's loss of sovereignty. The organization was named "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 the 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 (GFWC). Joining the GFWC gave UNWLA the standing needed to participate in national and international events on an equal footing with other American women's organizations. Also in 1948, the UNWLA became a founding member of the World Federation of the Ukrainian Women's Organizations (WFUWO). In 1952, UNWLA was admitted to the National Council of Women of the United States (NCW) of the United States.

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. Later, 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.

The Ukrainian Museum

On October 3, 1976, the UNWLA opened the Ukrainian Museum in New York City, marking 50 years of work collecting, preserving, and cataloging historical Ukrainian artifacts. This museum was located between 12th and 13th Streets on Second Avenue on the fourth and fifth floors of the building. In 1977 it became an independent entity with its own board and an independent charter. On February 6, 2005, the museum opened a four-story brick-and-glass state-of-the-art facility at 222 E 6th Street, designed by architect George Y. Sawicki. The $9 million building, which was built with money raised by Ukrainians both in New York and around the country, consists of 24,000 square feet, with floors of maple and white stone. The inaugural exhibition celebrated the work of Ukrainian artist Alexander Archipenko and was entitled Vision and Continuity, curated by Yaroslaw Leshko.

Further reading

• Alexander Lushnycky, Ukrainians in Pennsylvania: A Contribution to the Growth of the Commonwealth (1976), ASIN B001DDBMC8
• Alex Lushnycky, Ukrainians of Greater Philadelphia (2007), ISBN 9780738550404
• Stephen P. Haluszczak, Ukrainians of Western Pennsylvania (2009), ISBN 0738564958
• Myron B. Kuropas, Ukrainians of Chicagoland (2006), ISBN 0738540994
• Nancy Karen Wichar, Ukrainians of Metropolitan Detroit (2010), ISBN 9780738577166

External links

• Official website
• The Ukrainian Museum