UKRAINIAN WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

 WORKING TOGETHER SINCE 1926

The Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada was founded in 1926 in Saskatoon, Sask. The Association works diligently to preserve, develop and nurture the Ukrainian cultural heritage and traditions as a distinctive contribution to the national culture of Canada. It also works in partnership with other women's organizations and the community of te Ukrainian Self-Reliance League of Canada and is affiliated with the National Council of Women, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the World Congress of Ukrainian. Branches of the Association are located within the structure of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church parishes and in addition to their cultural and educational activities serve the needs of the Church as outlined in the Constitution.

STRUCTURE

The Association serves a membership of approximately 3,500 in 110 Branches across Western Canada, Ontario and Quebec, with the assistance of 5 Provincial Executives who liaise with local Branches.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

• to support and execute all manner of deeds and acts that contribute to the continual growth of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, and encourage members to practice and live by Christian principles as enunciated by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
• to work diligently to preserve, develop and nurture the Ukrainian cultural heritage and traditions as a distinctive contribution to the national culture of Canada
• to actively foster the principle of cultural co-operation within Canadian society.
• to focus on the education of our youth in Sunday Schools, Nursery Schools and Kindergarten, Ukrainian Schools, Bilingual Schools and the Ukrainian Orthodox Youth Association - CYMK
• to propagate and defend the aspirations of self - determination and human rights in all nations, with our focus directed to Ukraine by demonstrating support, both morally and financially.
• to preserve the Ukrainian cultural heritage -religion, language, customs and traditions.
• to disseminate knowledge by publishing works of Ukrainian writers, historians and journalist
• to maintain the Ukrainian Museum of Canada of the U.W.A.C., it's Branches and Subsidiaries and to collect, preserve, reserve, research and study representative artifacts which portray the Ukrainian heritage.

PROGRAM

In its efforts to realize its goals, the Association has engaged in numerous programs through the initiatives of the National office as well as Committee Chairs, who present annual plans and act as consultants in their areas of expertise. These are: Journal Promin; Natalia Kobrynska Publishing Fund; Benevolent Fund; Sunday and Ukrainian Schools; Ukrainian Orthodox Youth -CYMK; Cultural Arts; National and International Affairs;

Ukrainian Affairs; Women's Issues; Public Relations; Education; Healthy and Welfare; Ecology.

Within the broad spectrum of its activities, the U.W.A.C. engages in many types of projects, organizes conferences and convention programs to discuss current issues facing youth, women and families in an ever-changing world. These are all are all document in the publication "A Half- Century of Service to the Community", and chronicled I our monthly publication "Promin". A great deal of effort has been directed towards assisting Ukraine in the process of its rebirth, both morally and financially, as well as supporting the victims of the Chornobyl catastrophe. Many branches have assumed patronage of specific programs or groups in Ukraine. Presently, a scholarship program is in place in Canada and a program for needy students I Ukraine has recently been initiated.

PROMIN

The first issue of "Promin" was published in January of 1960. Since that time the journal has gone through various stages of development to best serve the membership. The journal is now bilingual and is positively received both by the members of U.W. A.C. and beyond in Canada, Ukraine and the diaspora.

PUBLICATIONS

Publications encompass a variety of cultural, educational and program related books and resource material. These include biographies of famous Ukrainian women, cultural essays, religious resource books and reference books. A series of Sunday School workbooks have been published in collaboration with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to any Ukrainian Orthodox woman 18 years of age or over, or one who marries into the Ukrainian Orthodox Faith. Women of all ages and interest groups are welcome. We provide an opportunity for utilizing and sharing one's expertise, professional and/or life-skills in one of the many areas listed above. We invite your active participation for the positive future of the Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

Detailed information is available from the National Office, Provincial Executives or local Branch.