| Ukrainian National Women's League of America | |
| Size: | 100 |
| Abbreviation: | UNWLA |
| Formation: | 1925 |
| Type: | NGO |
| Status: | association |
| Membership: | individual |
| Leader Title: | President |
| Leader Name: | Natalie Pawlenko |
| Website: | www.unwla.org |
The Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA) is a charitable and cultural organization that unites women of Ukrainian descent and affiliation. Established in 1945, the organization has launched numerous social welfare, cultural, and educational projects aimed at supporting the Ukrainian people both in Ukraine and in diasporas. It works independently as a charitable and cultural organization and has been granted a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service.
Since February 2022, the UNWLA has shifted its focus to humanitarian aid operations in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to a recent DEMAC report, the UNWLA raised approximately $750,000 for Ukrainian humanitarian aid within one month.[1] The organization continues fundraising and organizing advocacy events to address the Russian invasion.
UNWLA bylaws define the internal organizational structure and the division of responsibilities and duties.[2] The highest legislative body of the UNWLA is the UNWLA Convention, which is held every three years. The organizational structure of the UNWLA consists of a National Board and executive committee, Regional Councils, Branches, and Members at large.
The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) was founded in 1925, and it stands as the oldest and largest Ukrainian women’s organization in the United States. UNWLA’s mission is to provide educational and cultural initiatives while giving humanitarian aid to Ukrainians around the world. The organization is rooted in Christian ethics, committed to religious tolerance, political neutrality, and the universal protection of human rights. The association aims to inform the free world about the events in Ukraine, while spiritually and materially supporting their homeland and promoting the preservation of Ukrainian national identity, cultural heritage and ethnic traditions in the United States.[3]
The UNWLA was established in 1925 by five Ukrainian women's associations in the New York City area. The UNWLA was inspired by a women's organization in western Ukraine in the 1920 and '30s — Ukrainian Women's League, Союз Українок. The UNLWA adopted its name from the Ukrainian Women's League. The initial goal was to unite all Ukrainian women's groups in the United States under one umbrella to help their homeland that was struggling for national independence in the center of Eastern Europe, and coordinate efforts to provide long-distance humanitarian aid. Other important goals was to inform the free world about events in Ukraine, to support the homeland both spiritually and materially, and to promote the preservation of Ukrainian national identity, cultural heritage, and ethnic traditions in the United States. While originally focused on alleviating the struggles of Ukraine, fundraising and volunteer work resulted in the building of churches and community centers, children's education, and the establishment of scholarly and cultural institutions.
The reason for unification was the exclusion of the National Council of Women (NCW) of Ukraine from the International Council of Women at the ICW's General Assembly held in Washington, D.C., in May 1925. The NCW of Ukraine has been a member of the ICW since 1920. Its exclusion from the ICW occurred as a direct result of Ukraine's loss of national sovereignty, a prerequisite for ICW membership.
The name given to the new organization was "Soyuz Ukrayinok Ameryky" — Ukrainian National Women's League of America.
During the UNWLA's early years, the organization found support from the International Institutes of the YWCA, a program established by Edith Bremer (1865–1964). Its philosophy validates immigrant women's values of ethnic pride and retention of culture. UNWLA members promoted the Ukrainian presence in America with exhibitions of folk art and cultural performances in venues such as the annual Women's International Exposition in New York City. The folk art exhibit installed at the Ukrainian Pavilion at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair became the cornerstone of The Ukrainian Museum collection.[4]
In 1948, as the UNWLA gained recognition, the organization became the first ethnic organization in the United States to become an associate member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Joining the GFWC gave the UNWLA standing to participate in national and international events on an equal footing with other American women's organizations. UNWLA President Olena D. Lototsky served on the board of directors of the American Federation of International Institutes (1953–1959) and in 1958 was honored as a Woman of Achievement alongside other ethnic and minority group leaders. In 1952 the UNWLA was admitted to the National Council of Women of the United States (NCW) of the United States. In 1993, Iryna Kurowyckyj (UNWLA President, 1999–2008) was elected president of the NCW, the first woman of Ukrainian descent to hold this top position of women's representation in the country.
Also in 1948, the UNWLA was a founding member of the World Federation of the Ukrainian Women's Organizations (WFUWO).[5]
On October 3, 1976, the UNWLA opened the Ukrainian Museum in New York City, marking 50 years of work collecting, preserving, and cataloging historical Ukrainian artifacts,.[6] This museum was located between 12th and 13th Streets on Second Avenue on the fourth and fifth floors of the building. In 1977 it became an independent entity with its own board and an independent charter. On February 6, 2005, the museum opened a four-story brick-and-glass state-of-the-art facility at 222 E 6th Street, designed by architect George Y. Sawicki. The $9 million building, which was built with money raised by Ukrainians both in New York and around the country, consists of 24,000 square feet with floors of maple and white stone.[7] The inaugural exhibition celebrated the work of Ukrainian artist Alexander Archipenko, and was entitled Vision and Continuity, curated by Yaroslaw Leshko.[8]