“Our Membership – Our Strength” is the motto chosen for the XXXI convention of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, which will take place on Memorial Day weekend next year (May 26-29, 2017) in Tampa, Fla.
The Convention Committee headed by Lidia Bilous met several times to discuss and choose an appropriate motto and logo for the 2017 convention. Committee members wanted to succinctly reflect the many successful outcomes of UNWLA projects on behalf of the Ukrainian community. The chosen motto “Our Membership – Our Strength” is the essence of our organization and makes possible the success of its many undertakings.
In 1925, when Ukrainian women met in New York City to establish “Soyuz Ukrainok Ameryky,” their aim was to inform the free world about events in Ukraine, provide moral and material aid to Ukraine, and promote Ukrainian cultural heritage and Ukrainian identity in diaspora. Since 1925, many changes have taken place in the world, but the goals of 1925 are still relevant today.
The events in Ukraine do influence the work of the UNWLA, as do the original goals to promote Ukrainian culture in the United States. A great deal was achieved in the past 91 years, but the need to continue work in the fields of education, culture and humanitarian assistance is still present.
In the past, an important part of UNWLA was the organization and running of preschools by local branches and support for Ukrainian language schools to pass on the knowledge of the Ukrainian language and culture to new generations. The Scholarship Fund was established to help Ukrainian students not only in the U.S., but also in other countries. Ukrainian books, texts, and brochures were published with support from the UNWLA.
Humanitarian aid was organized and distributed whenever the need arose, whether in the U.S. or abroad. At present, as the fighting in eastern Ukraine with Russian-backed separatists continues, there is a great need to help the wounded soldiers of Ukraine and the families of those who died defending Ukraine. The UNWLA is actively involved with assistance on both fronts.
The many-faceted work of the UNWLA is possible only because of its many dedicated members who selflessly give their time and talents to carry out the goals of their organization and the Ukrainian community at large. One person can only do so much good, but when there is an organized group, then there are unlimited possibilities for success.
In our membership is our strength!
Vira Bodnaruk is press secretary of the XXXI Convention of the UNWLA.