Highlights from the UNA's 110-year history (04/25/04)

Highlights from the UNA's 110-year history

A special yearlong feature focusing on the history of the Ukrainian National Association.

In the aftermath of the 11th convention of the Ukrainian National Association that took place in 1910, the Ukrainian community was marked by rivalry among fraternal organizations: the UNA, founded in 1894, and the newly founded Ukrainian Workingmen's Association and the Providence Association of Ukrainian Catholics in America. The latter two groups attempted to enlarge their membership base by persuading UNA members to join their ranks instead.

As noted by Anthony Dragan, at the time there were several hundred thousands Ukrainian in the U.S., of which only 15,000 were members of the UNA. "Instead of organizing new members and thus enlarging the Ukrainian organized community, much effort was wasted on 'pulling over' the already organized members of the UNA. "Despite such harassment, the Ukrainian National Association continued its pioneering work, functioning at the same time as the central representative organization of all Ukrainian Americans," Mr. Dragan underscored.

At its 12th convention, held in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in 1912, the UNA established an Educational Committee whose goal was to conduct wide-ranging educational activities within the Ukrainian American community. That committee reported two years later on its work, which encompassed publication of books, among them the first volume of the history of Ukrainians in America by Julian Bachynsky as well as a history of Ukraine in English; the formation of reading rooms and clubs whose goal was to educate their members.

Most significantly, it was the UNA's Education Committee that argued: "The time has finally arrived to form a central committee consisting of representatives of all our organizations in America. The main functions of this Central Ukrainian National Committee would be: 1) establishment of a political organization; 2) establishment of close contacts with political organizations in our former homeland on both sides of the dividing boundary, i.e. in Galicia and eastern Ukraine; 3) informing the American press about the history of our people, their culture, their struggle, and their aspirations; 4) formation of Ukrainian political clubs in America so as to gain greater recognition and political influence in our new homeland; 5) organization of political rallies, meetings, etc."

As well the Education Committee spoke out about economic affairs, proposing the establishment of: loan-construction banks in our communities, which would encourage saving money and purchasing real estate, as well as provide mortgages; immigration centers in main ports of the U.S.; employment bureaus at the immigration centers and within communities; law offices; a money exchange bureau and boat ticket agency; and a bookstore that could supply all Ukrainians in America; as well as the expansion of the UNA's scholarship fund.

The UNA's Education Committee's funding came from contributions by UNA members - in accordance with a decision of the 12th convention, UNA members contributed 3 cents along with their monthly dues. The committee began publishing a monthly children's magazine called Tsvitka (Flower), which published 33 issues between 1914 and 1917. It also published 45 books, organized 74 popular lectures, and provided $2,300 in scholarship loans to Ukrainian students.

The Education Committee continued to function through 1917.

Source: "Ukrainian National Association: Its Past and Present, (1894-1964)," by Anthony Dragan (translated from the original Ukrainian by Zenon Snylyk). Jersey City, N.J.: Svoboda Press, 1964. The border featured in this special feature is reproduced from a UNA membership certificate dating to 1919.

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