EDITORIAL: One hundred nine (02/16/03)

EDITORIAL

One hundred nine

February 22 marks the 109th anniversary of the establishment of the Ukrainian National Association, a fraternal society that uses the profits from its insurance business for the benefit of its members and the Ukrainian community.

It is probably no exaggeration to state that most people know about the UNA from the two newspapers it publishes, the Ukrainian-language Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly. However, what many among us may not realize is that it was Svoboda that gave birth to the UNA, and not vice versa. Truly a demonstration of the power of the press.

It was Svoboda - which this year marks the 110th anniversary of its founding - that less than two months after it began publication called for the establishment of a national organization. In an editorial in the November 1, 1893, issue, Svoboda wrote:

"...we all Ukrainians [editor's note: Ukrainians at that time were referred to as "Rusyny"] scattered across this land need a national organization, namely such a brotherhood, such a national union that would embrace each and every Ukrainian no matter where he lives. One man cannot lift a heavy stone, but when three or four men put their strength to it, the stone will soon be lifted. ... It is clear then that in unity there is strength, and it is not easily defeated. Therefore, let us unite brothers, voluntary exiles from our native land, our fatherland, let us come closer together and get to know each other better, and take a closer look at our poverty, our want, our shortcomings, our needs. Let us exchange ideas, let us open our hearts to each other and see how we can solve our problems together, and rid ourselves of our common ills!"

Less than four months later, the UNA was founded.

In later years the UNA assumed the role of publisher of Svoboda. It also became "Batko Soyuz," a father to Ukrainians, becoming involved in the education of immigrants to America; aid to the homeland; support of cultural endeavors; sponsorship of community organizations and youth groups; assistance to the aged, the infirm and the needy; lobbying for political causes; and defending the Ukrainian name. The list of the UNA's involvement in all aspects of our community life is virtually endless.

Just as the histories of the UNA and Svoboda are intimately intertwined, so too are the histories of the UNA and The Ukrainian Weekly. The fraternal organization began publishing this newspaper in 1933 in an effort to reach the non-Ukrainian world and report the truth about what was happening in Soviet-dominated Ukraine. At the same time the UNA sought to reach non-Ukrainian-speaking Ukrainian Americans and Ukrainian Canadians, primarily youths born and reared in North America, and keep them engaged in our community life. In later years it was the UNA that decided a Kyiv Press Bureau should be opened to allow The Ukrainian Weekly to better report on the historic developments in our ancestral homeland. That bureau has been reporting the news from Ukraine since January 1991. Just think of all the epochal events that have occurred in Ukraine between then and now. And our bureau has been on the scene to report the news as no one else can - uncensored, unfiltered, unbiased.

One hundred nine years ago on November 1, Svoboda wrote: "... our people will raise their mighty voice and Ukrainians everywhere will say: We need the Ukrainian National Association, we must get to know each other better, we must unite, we must work together to improve our lot in this new land!" And unite they did. The result was a proud legacy of activism. The UNA became a mover, a facilitator and a leader of our myriad community causes.

Today, as always, the UNA stands ready to perform those roles. But the key to continuing such good works is membership. Therefore, the UNA is reaching out to potential new members among the younger generations and new immigrants in order to sustain its mission. Generations of Ukrainians have seen the value of this great organization and have expressed their faith in the common good it engenders by joining the ranks of the Ukrainian National Association. We are certain that new generations and new waves of immigration also see that value and will become members of the UNA.

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