Ukrainian National Women's League of America

The UNWLA's bylaws outline the organization's internal structure and the distribution of responsibilities and duties.{{Cite web |title=UNWLA Bylaws |url=https://unwla.org/wp-content/uploads/UNWLA-Bylaws.pdf |access-date=June 11, 2022 |website=UNWLA Bylaws}} Its highest decision-making body, the UNWLA Convention, convenes every three years. The organization's structure comprises a National Board and executive committee, Regional Councils, Branches, and Members-at-Large.

The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) is a nonprofit organization established in 1925.{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0042065/ |title=UNWLA - Ukrainian National Women's League Of America |website=Library of Congress |access-date=2024-12-14}} The organization engages in educational, humanitarian, and cultural initiatives. It promotes religious tolerance, political neutrality, and human rights, while also working to raise awareness about Ukraine and preserve Ukrainian identity, culture, and traditions in the United States.{{Cite web |date=27 September 2024 |title=The Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA) |url=https://unwla.org/about-us/ |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA)}}

The UNWLA was founded by five Ukrainian women's groups in New York City, drawing inspiration from the Ukrainian Women's League in western Ukraine. Its early mission included uniting Ukrainian women's organizations in the United States, providing humanitarian assistance, and supporting Ukraine's independence. The organization also focused on preserving Ukrainian identity through cultural and educational activities. Over time, its efforts expanded to include the development of churches, community centers, and cultural institutions. The organization formed in response to the exclusion of the National Council of Women of Ukraine from the International Council of Women, following the loss of Ukrainian sovereignty. It was originally named "Soyuz Ukrayinok Ameryky" (Ukrainian National Women's League of America).{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

In its early years, the UNWLA received support from the International Institutes of the YWCA, a program initiated by Edith Bremer (1865–1964). Members promoted Ukrainian culture through folk art exhibitions and performances at events such as the annual Women’s International Exposition in New York City. A folk art exhibit presented at the Ukrainian Pavilion of the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair was later added to the Ukrainian Museum collection.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}{{Cite news |last=Bashuk Hepburn |first=Oksana |date=October 27, 2013 |title=Whose side are we on anyway? |url=https://www.ukrweekly.com/archive/2013/The_Ukrainian_Weekly_2013-43.pdf |work=The Ukrainian Weekly |pages=7–9}}

In 1948, the UNWLA became the first cultural organization in the United States to be accepted as an associate member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC). That same year, it became a founding member of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations (WFUWO). In 1952, the UNWLA was admitted to the National Council of Women of the United States (NCW).{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

UNWLA President Olena D. Lototsky served on the board of the American Federation of International Institutes from 1953 to 1959, and was recognized as a Woman of Achievement in 1958. In 1993, Iryna Kurowyckyj—later president of the UNWLA from 1999 to 2008—was elected president of the NCW, becoming the first woman of Ukrainian descent to hold the position.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}[http://www.wfuwo.org/about.html Official website of the World Federation of the Ukrainian Women's Organizations]

On October 3, 1976, the UNWLA opened the Ukrainian Museum in New York City, following five decades of collecting and cataloging historical Ukrainian artifacts.{{Cite web |date=2016-05-13 |title=Celebrating The Ukrainian Museum – The Ukrainian Weekly |url=https://subscription.ukrweekly.com/2016/05/celebrating-the-ukrainian-museum/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |language=en-US}} The museum was initially located between 12th and 13th Streets on Second Avenue, occupying the fourth and fifth floors of a building. In 1977, it became an independent entity with its own charter and board of trustees.

On February 6, 2005, the museum moved into a newly constructed, four-story brick-and-glass building at 222 East 6th Street, designed by architect George Y. Sawicki. The $9 million facility features 24,000 square feet of space with maple and white stone flooring.{{Cite web |date=2005-04-14 |title=A Radical Makeover for a Small NYC Museum |url=https://www.artforum.com/news/a-radical-makeover-for-a-small-nyc-museum-171324/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Artforum |language=en-US}} Its inaugural exhibition, curated by Yaroslaw Leshko, was titled Vision and Continuity and showcased works by Ukrainian artist Alexander Archipenko.{{Cite news |last=Glueck |first=Grace |date=2005-04-14 |title=New Museum Opens on a Foundation of Modernism |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/14/arts/design/new-museum-opens-on-a-foundation-of-modernism.html |access-date=2024-09-14 |work=The New York Times}}

{{Reflist}}

• Alexander Lushnycky, Ukrainians in Pennsylvania: A Contribution to the Growth of the Commonwealth (1976), ASIN B001DDBMC8
• Alex Lushnycky, Ukrainians of Greater Philadelphia (2007), {{ISBN|9780738550404}}
• Stephen P. Haluszczak, Ukrainians of Western Pennsylvania (2009), {{ISBN|0738564958}}
• Myron B. Kuropas, Ukrainians of Chicagoland (2006), {{ISBN|0738540994}}
• Nancy Karen Wichar, Ukrainians of Metropolitan Detroit (2010), {{ISBN|9780738577166}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{official website|http://www.unwla.org/}}
• [https://www.theukrainianmuseum.org/ The Ukrainian Museum]

{{Authority control}}

Category:Women's organizations based in the United States

Category:Charities based in New York (state)

Category:Culture of Ukraine

Category:Ukrainian-American history

Category:Ukrainian diaspora in the United States