The UNWLA Regional Council of Chicago was founded on October 12, 1962. Our first president was Dora Rak and the three founded member branches were 22nd, 29th and 51st. (UNWLA), is the largest and oldest Ukrainian women's organization in the United States. It works independently as a charitable and cultural organization and has been granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Servic
e. The Regional Council of Chicago is the regional planning body and represents the following UNWLA branches:
Branch #22, “Daughters of Ukraine”, founded in 1949. This dynamic branch is in it’s 65th year. As one of the founding branches, prepared the Christmas Tree and Ukrainian Day program at the Museum of Science and Industry, initiated “Vyshyvani verchornytsi”, prepared weekly radio programs and conducted various courses for members and the public.. Branch #29, “500 Heroines of Kingiru”, founded in 1960. The members worked with Social Services to provide aid to dissidents and prisoners of conscious, aiding orphans in Ukraine, Europe and Latin America, conducted exhibits of Ukrainian culture and artists, publishing “Poetry for Children” by Kateryna Perelisa, and started “Sadochok Kzaok”. Branch #36, “Olha Basarab”, is the oldest branch in Chicago, founded in 1932. Their primary goal was to promote and maintain Ukrainian traditions, language and culture and to assist Ukrainians in Ukraine. Branch #74, “Alla Horska”, founded in 1963. Focused on organizational matters, the members of the educational-committee hosted member and guest lectures, programs and events. Income from various fundraisers and functions were designated for Social Services, for assistance to Ukrainians in Brazil and for the scholarship fund. Branch #85, “Kateryna Zarycka”, founded in 1986. Responsible for “Sadok Vyshnevyi”, currently prepares the Ukrainian Program and sponsors the Ukrainian Christmas Tree at MSI. Supports the UNWLA scholarship program, funds orphanages and seniors programs’ in Ukraine, hosts book reviews of local Ukrainian authors. Branch #101, “Lina Kostenko”, founded in 1968. This active branch has organized several fundraisers included fashion shows, exhibitions, and sponsored artist’s events. An event to honor women who were members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) raised over $20,000. These funds were sent to a medical clinic in Lviv for purchase of modern medical equipment.
