Detroit Regional Council of UNWLA celebrates three anniversaries (02/19/06)

Detroit Regional Council of UNWLA celebrates three anniversaries

by Elizabeth Kuczer

WARREN, Mich. - Rarely do three important anniversaries fall within the same year as occurred recently in 2005 for the Detroit Regional Council of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA). On Sunday, November 6, 2005, at the Ukrainian Cultural Center here, a jubilee luncheon was held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, the 70th anniversary of the UNWLA's Detroit Regional Council and the 60th anniversary of the UNWLA magazine Our Life.

Each of these events, though auspicious in its own right, tied in nicely with the others to provide for a wonderful opportunity to bring UNWLA members and the community together.

A special Jubilee Committee spearheaded by Maria Zarycky-Cherviovsky worked to properly recognize these special milestones, simply referred to as "80/70/60." This committee comprised 20 members representing the 11 active UNWLA branches in the Detroit area.

The day of the Jubilee saw many from the local Detroit Ukrainian community joining UNWLA members at the newly renovated Ukrainian Cultural Center which was further enhanced by beautifully decorated tables prepared by Annette Stadnyk and Helen Palmer. Exhibited, too, were vintage photos gathered by Anna Macielinski reflecting UNWLA Detroit history, and a display of Our Life issues organized by Stefania Korol and Daria Koniuch that highlighted memorable events.

Adding to the decorative touches throughout the hall were works by renowned Ukrainian artists from Detroit, Canada and Ukraine: Halyna Cisaruk, Jarema Kozak, Volodymyr Nemyra, Chrystyna Nykorak, Jurij Savchenko, Konstantyn Savchenko, Oleksandr Tkachenko and Eugenia Worobkewich. At the conclusion of the program, eight works of art became prizes in a raffle.

To further emphasize the threefold purpose of this event, the Jubilee Committee felt that a special emblem should be designed; artist Jarema Kozak created an original insignia interweaving the traditional UNWLA logo with the 80/70/60 theme. The insignia was available for purchase as a commemorative button.

Mistress of ceremonies Natalia Hewko officially began the program by introducing Jubilee Committee Chair Maria Zarycky-Cherviovsky, who provided the opening remarks, followed by greetings from UNWLA Detroit Regional Council President Lydia Kazewych and the singing of the UNWLA anthem.

The keynote address delivered by UNWLA National President Iryna Kurowyckyj not only thanked the organizers of this special day, but inspired guests with insightful information about the rich historical background of the Ukrainian women's movement and its impact in the U.S. and throughout the world. Briefly summarized, the UNWLA's mission remains to serve as a provider of humanitarian aid, preserver of Ukrainian culture and a resource for educational scholarships.

The invocation delivered by the Very Rev. Daniel Schaikoski, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hamtramck, Mich., was followed by a delicious luncheon during which guests enjoyed piano music performed by Olga Dubriwnyj-Solovey.

Next on the agenda was the introduction of guest speaker and Ukrainian radio personality Anna Dydyk-Petrenko from Voice of America. Mrs. Dydyk-Petrenko, through her wide-ranging experience as a broadcaster, effectively and inspirationally wove together the importance of the roles of Ukrainian radio and women's organizations, and their effect on the betterment of life in Ukraine and the diaspora.

Former editor of Our Life Olia Liskiwskyj outlined the early days of the publication and its consistent importance as a communicative tool and link between not only UNWLA members but also all Ukrainian women throughout the world. Our Life, a monthly publication, continues as a beacon for the UNWLA, but much-needed monetary support is an ongoing issue.

The program continued as Mrs. Kazewych outlined the events of the early 1900s and the formation of four UNWLA branches in Detroit between 1929 and 1932. In 1935 these branches began to coordinate their activities, which led to the establishment of the first UNWLA Regional Council. Throughout its 70-year history the Detroit Regional Council carried out the resolutions passed by UNWLA conventions via its committees, the most active of which were the Social Welfare, Education, Cultural, Scholarships and Public Relations.

The Education and Cultural Committees organized "svitlychky" (preschools), and sponsored countless cultural exhibits, seminars and literary presentations in order to disseminate Ukrainian culture and traditions to future generations of Ukrainian Americans.

From the early 1930's the Public Relations Committees informed the American public and government officials about tragic events and political issues of concern to Ukrainian Americans, such as the Great Famine-Genocide, Polish and Communist repression, and the present-day problems of human trafficking.

The Social Welfare and Scholarship Committees collected hundreds of thousands of dollars for scholarships and the needy in local communities, in Ukraine and throughout the world.

In 1957 the Detroit Regional Council initiated two projects that were successfully realized in the 1980s: the purchase of a "domivka" (headquarters) by the Detroit Regional Council and the construction of the Ukrainian Village in Warren. The latter evolved from a UNWLA initiative into a Ukrainian community project and finally into federal HUD housing for senior citizens.

Mrs. Kazewych further stated that Detroit Regional Council's accomplishments during the 70 years of its existence are due to the hard work of hundreds of UNWLA members, known as "Soyuzianky."

President Kurowyckyj proceeded to acknowledge the contributions of the latest group of honorees, awarding 50-year pins and citations to Maria Diakiw, Genya Fitzsimmons, Olga Halushka, Ksenia Kuczer, Lesia Latyszewska, Olga Meyer and Olga Solovey.

She also bestowed citations on Branches 50, 53, 76 and 96 for their work with svitlychky and to Branches 26, 45, 50, 53, 63, 76 and 96 for sponsoring scholarships.

The following Soyuzianky from Branches 26, 45, 53, 63, 81, 96 and 115 were awarded citations for dedicated work spanning many years: Myroslava Capp, Maria Derkacz, Vera Hnatiuk, Wasylyna Hordynsky, Lidia Jachnycky, Nadia Juzych, Catherine Kizyma, Switlana Korduba, Stefania Korol, Elizabeth Kuczer, Olia Liskiwskyi, Kateryna Melnyk, Maria Mykolenko, Lida Pakula, Helen Palmer, Irene Shumylo, Annette Stadnyk, Irena Tarnavsky and Daria Zawadiwskyi.

Five Soyuzianky received citations for preserving Ukrainian heritage: Myroslawa Baranyk (Branch 76), Olha Hrynkiw (Branch 63), Joanna Kulchesky (Branch 58), Olena Papiz (Branch 81) and Olga Solovey (Branch 58).

Marcelene Chomiak (Branch 58) was awarded honorary membership in the Detroit Regional Council. Three past presidents of the Detroit Regional Council - Roma Dyhdalo (Branch 76), Natalia Hewko (Branch 45) and Olena Liskiwska (Branch 81) - were awarded the honorary presidency of the Detroit Regional Council.

As during all joyous Ukrainian occasions, music and song played an important role. The first portion of the entertainment was a wonderful medley of songs performed by soloist and bandurist Ostap Stachiw. Between songs, Mr. Stachiw told the audience about several of his personal experiences during the days of the Orange Revolution in Kyiv.

The second segment of the entertainment was provided by Detroit's own Soloveyky Quartet, which includes several UNWLA Branch 115 members and Olga Dubriwnyj-Solovey (Branch 58) as musical director. Resplendent in richly embroidered Ukrainian traditional costumes generously donated by Anna Hnatiuk from her private collection, the Soloveyky performed a selection of songs from their newly launched CD. The harmonious voices of the Quartet belong to Lisa Calice, Lily Litynskyj, Natalka Maruszczak and Kristie Olszewski.

Lastly, a raffle organized by Christina Panasiuk resulted in eight lucky guests taking with them special keepsakes from the jubilee - Ukrainian paintings and embroidery. The benediction by the Rev. Philip Sandrick, pastor of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren, concluded a most eventful and inspirational day.

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