Myroslava Futey: Embassy's dedicated volunteer (08/20/00)

Myroslava Futey: Embassy's dedicated volunteer

by Ariadna Voitko
Embassy of Ukraine

WASHINGTON - Myroslava Futey never actually thought about working at the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, yet when the idea was suggested to her in 1991 she asked herself, "why not try it?" - even if for a short while.

This "short while" has become nine years of dedicated volunteerism, a span of time during which Mrs. Futey has seen the Embassy grow from a temporary set of offices in the business district of Washington to a large complex in one of the city's most prestigious neighborhoods.

Ukraine's first ambassador to the United States was Dr. Oleh Bilorus, and since in those early days there was very little staff at the Embassy, Mrs. Futey began working with the ambassador on a variety of tasks as soon as he arrived. She continued to help out with each new ambassador - Dr. Yuri Shcherbak, Anton Buteiko and Kostyantyn Gryshchenko - and since she was comfortable working in both worlds, the Ukrainian and the American, she became a de facto volunteer public relations office for the Embassy.

The ambassadors and Embassy staff over the years have only kind and warm words of praise for the efforts of Mrs. Futey. She not only helped mediate between two worlds, including assisting with Ukraine's first state visits to the United States, but on a personal level organized Christmas parties for the children of the Embassy, and recruited friends and family to help out with the numerous delegations that travel from Ukraine. Regardless of the fact that she was a volunteer, Mrs. Futey put in incredible hours to help out in critical times of the Embassy's growth and development.

Mrs. Futey now comes less frequently to the Embassy, since in the last few years she has become the proud and busy grandmother of three. However, the Embassy is never far from her concerns, as she often calls to see if help is needed, to offer advice and to suggest solutions to problems.

And Ukraine is never far from her heart. She and her husband, Judge Bohdan Futey of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, are planning a trip with their family to visit the country that is so dear to them - one whose heritage they have passed on to their children, and now hope to do for their grandchildren as well.

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