NEWS AND VIEWS: UNWLA Detroit Regional Council marks 75th jubilee by recalling accomplishments (03/12/00)

NEWS AND VIEWS

UNWLA Detroit Regional Council marks 75th jubilee by recalling accomplishments

by Larissa Wytwycky Ghiso and Lydia Kachan Jachnycky

Imagine waking up one night and hearing the rumbling of tanks, artillery fire and bomb explosions in the distance and realizing that the terrifying sounds are getting closer and closer. Imagine packing a few essentials that will fit into one or two small suitcases and setting off into the unknown - always heading westward. After wandering for months and years through Europe, if you were one of the very lucky ones, you find your way across the ocean to "the land of the free and the brave" - America.

You realize that you are faced with tremendous opportunities and with incredible challenges: a new language, new and unknown customs and traditions, and different people and expectations. Your natural instinct is to seek out others of your own kind for help, support, and encouragement.

Many of the members of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA) have lived through just such an experience and have dedicated themselves to the common goal of uniting women of Ukrainian descent in order to preserve their ethnic identity, culture, and heritage within the framework of humanitarian outreach. Its activities have focused on charitable, educational and cultural endeavors.

Historically, the Detroit Regional Council of the UNWLA maintained strong links to the homeland while simultaneously searching for connections to the American world. Members disseminated information about Ukraine, its geography, history and culture.

The UNWLA established the first Medical Fund in 1930, which soon was expanded to aid the famine victims in Ukraine in 1933. During World War II aid was given to orphans, widows, the elderly and infirm.

The Detroit Regional Council created a Ukrainian chapter of the American Red Cross and aided in the rescue of Displaced Persons (DPs) from forcible repatriation to the USSR. In cooperation with the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, assistance was provided to Ukrainian immigrants from Germany. Some members sponsored DPs and helped them settle in America.

With the new wave of immigration after World War II, the UNWLA was witness to a variety of activities in Detroit, including the publication of "Ukrainian Womanhood in Detroit," organization of a conference on education and social welfare, and an intense membership drive.

Members participated in local demonstrations and protests in 1955 when the Soviets ruthlessly used tanks to kill 500 Ukrainian women prisoners in a forced labor camp in Kinghir.

They also participated in a demonstration in 1983 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Great Famine-Genocide in which millions of people perished of forced starvation under Communist domination.

The Detroit Regional Council's activities in the humanitarian and charitable endeavors have also included aid to the victims of the Chornobyl nuclear explosion with medical equipment, food, vitamins, clothing and other necessities. Hundreds of children were sent to health centers in Ukraine for treatment. The Regional Council's Social Welfare Committee also assumed sponsorship of two orphanages and a children's hospital in Dnipropetrovsk.

Since November 1994 many parcels of clothing, vitamins and books have been dispatched to these institutions.

During the 1970s, members gave assistance to political dissidents by sending small packages, mailing cards and letters to offer moral support, and publicizing their plight. Many years later, when members met some of these dissidents, they found out what an incredible event it had been for them to receive a card or letter from far-distant America while imprisoned in the cold reaches of Siberia under the most inhumane conditions.

In the fall of 1998, the Detroit Regional Council sent 90 packages to aid the victims of severe flooding in the Zakarpattia region Ukraine. The members have also become involved in the issue of trafficking of women and have actively lobbied both local and federal representatives to pass legislation regarding this barbaric and inhumane practice of exploiting women.

On the educational front, the UNWLA has organized pre-schools and day-care centers, sponsored and warded scholarships since 1932, and provided student sponsorship programs to Ukrainians in Poland, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Eastern Europe and newly independent Ukraine. Ukrainian schools have been provided with much needed textbooks and financial aid.

"Ukrainian Awareness Days" were also sponsored in local public schools. Numerous arts and craft exhibits, plays, dramatic readings and competitions were held in conjunction with the "Year of the Child" in 1979.

The UNWLA co-sponsored leadership conferences along with Wayne State University, the University of Michigan and prominent women's organizations through the years. Recently, a highly successful "Ukrainian Women's Retreat" was held in June 1997 at the Dibrova Estate in Brighton, Mich. The Detroit Regional Council was also a significant contributor in the establishment of the Ukrainian Village, a senior citizens' retirement home in Warren.

Throughout its history, the UNWLA has participated in countless and varied cultural events. Ukraine's Millennium of Christianity was celebrated in 1988 and included an exhibit of Ukrainian icons at the Renaissance Center. A display of Our Lady of Pochaiv was presented at the event, which was memorialized in a Commemorative Millennium Book.

Public lectures on Ukrainian poets, artists and authors have been presented. Dr. Roman Szporluk, a renowned historian and Harvard University professor, lectured on Ukrainian history. The Regional Council has also welcomed visitors from Ukraine, including outstanding authors, poets, playwrights, artists, community activists and dissidents.

Members sponsored exhibits at the International Institute's Hall of Nations and actively supported the institute by purchasing showcases for exhibits of national art, donating two complete national costumes and providing financial support for its building project. The Regional Council also prepared a biennial Christmas Heritage Exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum and displays at the Detroit Summer Ethnic Festivals, St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church Sunflower Festival in Warren, and the International Festival in Sterling Heights, Mich. Members also sponsored demonstrations and courses in making pysanky, Easter breads and traditional Christmas and Easter meals along with wood-inlay art, embroidery, and kylym weaving.

While the many dedicated women who devote their time, energy and efforts to the myriad activities are too numerous to mention individually, there is one who stands out and serves recognition as the epitome of "a woman of both worlds." Mary V. Beck was born in the United States and finished high school in Ukraine. She subsequently received her undergraduate and law degrees in the United States. She was actively involved in the UNWLA since its founding in 1929 and presented a speech at its first convention in May 1932. Ms. Beck was elected to the Detroit City Council for several terms and served as mayor pro tempore. She was inaugurated into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 1991.

The nearly 400 Ukrainian American women of the 12 local Detroit branches are continuing the worthwhile work of their predecessors, guiding their activities by the principles of Christian ethics, religious tolerance, political non-partisanship and support of human rights. They and their families are justifiably proud of their many achievements and accomplishments and wish to share their joy with the communities in which they live.

The UNWLA Detroit Regional Council is proudly preparing to celebrate its 75th anniversary on Saturday, March 18, at 5:30 p.m., at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center in Warren, Mich., with a dinner and program. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at local Ukrainian credit unions and the EKO Gallery or from members.

Larissa Wytwycky Ghiso and Lydia Kachan Jachnycky are UNWLA activists in the Detroit area.

| Home Page |