# Ukrainian National Women's League of America

The Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA) is a Ukrainian charity organization established in 1925. It has launched social welfare, cultural, and educational projects aimed at supporting Ukrainian people both in Ukraine and within the Ukrainian diaspora.
It operates 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 focused on humanitarian aid operations in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to a recent Diaspora Emergency Action & Coordination (DEMAC) report, the UNWLA raised approximately $750,000 for Ukrainian humanitarian aid in one month. The organization continues to fundraise and organize advocacy events to address the Russian invasion.

## Structure

The UNWLA bylaws outline the organization's internal structure and delineate the distribution of responsibilities and duties. 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.

## History

The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) was founded in 1925, and is one of the oldest and largest Ukrainian women’s organization in the United States. The organization promotes religious tolerance, political neutrality, and human rights. It informs the global community about events in Ukraine, supports Ukraine with fundraising activities, and works to preserve Ukrainian identity, culture, and traditions in the U.S.

### Founding

The UNWLA, founded in 1925 by five Ukrainian women's groups in New York, was inspired by the Ukrainian Women's League in western Ukraine. Its mission was to unite Ukrainian women's organizations in the U.S., to support independence for Ukraine, and to provide humanitarian aid. The organization's goals included raising awareness about Ukraine, offering spiritual and material support, and preserving Ukrainian identity and culture in the U.S. Over time, its efforts expanded to building churches, community centers, and cultural institutions. The UNWLA formed after the National Council of Women of Ukraine was excluded from the International Council of Women due to Ukraine's loss of sovereignty. The organization was named "Soyuz Ukrayinok Ameryky" (Ukrainian National Women's League of America).

### International Women's Movement

During the UNWLA's early years, the organization received support from the International Institutes of the YWCA, a program established by Edith Bremer (1865–1964). UNWLA members promoted Ukrainian culture through 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 part of The Ukrainian Museum collection.
In 1948, the UNWLA became the first ethnic organization in the United States to become an associate member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC). After joining the GFWC, the UNWLA participated in national and international events. Also in 1948, the UNWLA became a founding member of the World Federation of the Ukrainian Women's Organizations (WFUWO). In 1952, UNWLA was admitted to the National Council of Women of the United States (NCW) of the United States.
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. Later, in 1993, Iryna Kurowyckyj (UNWLA President, 1999–2008) was elected president of the NCW — the first woman of Ukrainian descent to hold this position.

## The Ukrainian Museum

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. 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 facility at 222 E 6th Street, designed by architect George Y. Sawicki. The $9 million building, consists of 24,000 square feet, with floors of maple and white stone. The inaugural exhibition celebrated the work of Ukrainian artist Alexander Archipenko and was entitled Vision and Continuity, curated by Yaroslaw Leshko.