NEW YORK – Ukraine’s First Lady Maryna Poroshenko hosted a roundtable discussion at the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations for women leaders of various Ukrainian diaspora organizations that are involved in helping Ukraine.
The first lady was introduced at the gathering by Dr. Nataliya Sergeyev, wife of Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Nations Yuriy Sergeyev.
The president of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Marianna Zajac, welcomed Dr. Poroshenko, who is a physician by training, on behalf of all the attendees and presented her with a white coral necklace by the Ukrainian artist Masha Archer.
Dr. Poroshenko was accompanied by the wives of Ukraine’s diplomatic corps in the United States: Ludmila Chalyi, wife of Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Valeriy Chalyi, and Natalia Sybiga, wife of New York Consul General Igor Sybiga.
Ukrainian women leaders at a roundtable discussion with Dr. Maryna Poroshenko.
All present gave short overviews of the work of their respective organizations, after which Dr. Poroshenko posed questions to the speakers in order to better understand their activities. The purpose of the meeting was for participants to share their thoughts about the collective goal of supporting Ukraine in its current crisis.
The first lady also delivered brief remarks. In closing the meeting, she thanked the attendees for their work on behalf of Ukraine, saying, “You did not lose your roots. It would have been so easy to do, but instead you work with every being of your soul for Ukraine.”
She continued, “I can feel that love that you have for Ukraine and her people.” Dr. Poroshenko ended the meeting by warmly thanking the Ukrainian diaspora for being “an efficient diplomatic bridge between Ukraine and America.”
Ukrainian women leaders during the discussion: (from left) Ulana Mazurkevich, Roma Lisovich, Tamara Olexy and Marianna Zajac.