UNWLA

Libraries are sanctuaries of knowledge, curiosity, and imagination. They house books -- the most powerful tools for sharpening analytical and logical thinking, enhancing memory, and deepening our understanding of the world, both near and far. For me, #books ar more than just a source of knowledge; they are a way of life. As a millennial, I grew up without the internet, gadgets, or round-the-clock television. Instead, my entertainment was literature (and exploring the world outside). While many of the books available to me were written in russian by russian authors, an even greater number were in #Ukrainian, crafted by Ukrainian writers. Through these books, from fairy tales to historical novels, I discovered the richness of Ukrainian storytelling. Yet Ukrainian literature remains underrepresented on the global stage. Despite its depth, history, and cultural significance, it is not as widely available as it should be. And we can help change that. By requesting Ukrainian books -including English translations - at your local library and bookstore, you can increase demand and ensure that more readers have access to Ukraine’s literary treasures. Recognizing this need, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) has developed a valuable tool to promote Ukrainian literature in libraries across the country. Explore this initiative and discover how you can take part in preserving and sharing Ukraine’s literary heritage with the world. Natalie Pawlenko #unwla #Ukraine #Ukraineliterature #readUkrainian #library #Ukrainianbooks

March is Women's History Month, and we started it on a high note by celebrating artists from Borshch of Art’s Discover Database. On March 8, in collaboration with the UNWLA, Borshch of Art founder Anastasia Gudko gave a talk on five women artists who were pioneers of their time. #LouiseNevelson, trailblazer of environmental art and public art installations #SoniaGechtoff who was among the first Abstract Expressionists known on both West and East coasts #JanetSobel, who was among the first to use the allover technique and inspired Jackson Pollock #LeeKrasner a talented artist, savvy art manager and dealer. After her husband Jackson Pollock's death, she helped cement his legacy #EdithHalpert established the first commercial art gallery dedicated exclusively to the work of living artists, particularly Asian, Black, and Latinx Americans. Halpert helped to shape the field of modernist art not only by promoting artists marginalized by dominant institutions, but also by developing innovative marketing tools targeting middle-income art enthusiasts. Although all those women were unique in their lives and artists' journeys, they shared many similarities, including their connection to Ukraine. We are grateful for UNWLA Honorary Branch 1 and their hospitality, and we thank everyone who spent the afternoon with us.

Life-Changing Support: Our Work at the Nadiya Orphanage Every child deserves warmth, care, and belief in themselves. We don’t just conduct activities—we help children feel safe, express emotions, build relationships, and dream about the future. Over the past months, we have achieved:  🌿 12 visits to the orphanage   🌿40+ group sessions for young children   🌿40+ individual consultations for teenagers What did we do?  🎨 Creative expression – painting, sculpting, and using art to process emotions  🤲 Teamwork and collaboration – engaging in group activities and joint projects  ☘️ Emotional awareness – helping children understand and express their feelings  🌍 Expanding horizons – introducing new cultures and perspectives  🌟 Building empathy – fostering friendships and learning to support one another  What changes do we see?  🌿More trust – children are more open and willing to share their stories  🌿Fewer conflicts – they now try to resolve issues through communication  🌿Hope for the future – they begin to believe in themselves and their potential  Thank you, UNWLA, for your continuous support!  A special thanks to the staff of the Nadiya orphanage for your love, care, and close collaboration. Together, we give these children the most valuable gift – a sense of warmth, peace, and security!

What was the 1994 Budapest Memorandum and why does it matter? What are the obligations of the US as a result of signing this agreement with Ukraine?

EMPOWERING CHANGE: THE LEGACY AND FUTURE OF WOMEN-LED ORGANIZATIONS IN UKRAINE AND THE U.S. 💙✨ Yesterday, alongside KSPA (Kyiv School of Public Administration named after Serhiy Nyznhny) Zemliachky, and U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) we brought together Ukrainian and U.S.-based women-led organizations to explore how we can shape the future while honoring the rich legacy of Ukrainian women’s activism. It was an inspiring afternoon filled with powerful speeches, insightful discussions, and meaningful connections—a moment we hope will spark new collaborations for years to come. We were honored to hear Kateryna Yushchenko, First Lady of Ukraine (2005–2010), reflect on the crucial role that UNWLA has played in building the Ukrainian community in the U.S. and empowering Ukrainian women to lead change. Natalie Pawlenko highlighted UNWLA's past and present partnerships, emphasizing the power of cooperation and mutual support among women-led organizations. Every speaker underscored the inner freedom, strength, and resilience of Ukrainian women. We are deeply grateful to our speakers: Anna Mishchenko Київська школа державного управління ім. С. Нижного Irina Paliashvili, President and CEO, U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) Nadiia Khomaziuk, executive director, U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) Kseniya Draganuk, co-founder, Zemliachky. Ukrainian Front Natalie Pawlenko, President, UNWLA Marianna Tretiak, Officer at large, UNWLA Alexa Chopivski, executive director, Women's Foreign Policy Group Cheryl Robertson, CEO & Founder, Soulful Life University Marta Levchenko, founder МІСТО ДОБРА Центр доброти для мами і дитини. Olga Diakova, Impact Force A special thank you to Davis Richardson from Paradox Communications Agency for presenting their library of successful advocacy cases, demonstrating how culture can be a powerful force for Ukraine. We appreciate everyone who joined us and continues to support the movement for Ukrainian women-led organizations. Together, we are shaping a stronger, more empowered future! 💛💙

Almost 2,500 children from Ivano-Frankivsk have found a safe space at SpivDiia for Children—a place where their emotions matter, where they are heard, supported, and helped to restore their inner balance. Now, the space in Ivano-Frankivsk is taking a break for the summer. So, we decided to reflect on this project, which has changed the lives of hundreds of children for the better! Over seven months of operation, 2,474 children have received support here. Our team continuously monitors the impact on children's emotional well-being, which has improved for nearly 90% of them! The activities in our spaces have helped children strengthen their emotional resilience, become braver, and more open. Our mentors teach children to: ✔️ recognize and process their emotions ✔️ discover new talents and build self-confidence ✔️ explore the world and make new friends As part of our open events, we have hosted 60 different training sessions, engaging workshops, art therapy sessions, educational excursions, and more. We achieved all of this thanks to the support of our partners, UNWLA. We are grateful that, together with you, we have been able to create a space where children not only recover from the stress of war but also gain the resources for a better and healthier future. SpivDiia for Children—today, tomorrow, and always!