Ukrainian National Association

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The Ukrainian National Association (UNA) is a North American fraternal organization founded in Shamokin, Pennsylvania in February 22, 1894 when the first wave of immigrants from Ukraine came to the United States and Canada. Its purpose was to provide for material needs, such as funeral expenses and care for destitute members while also promoting Ukrainian culture.[1] [2]

During the Cold War, the UNA advocated on behalf of Ukraine's independence. It also sponsored the creation of an Ukrainian Studies Center at Harvard University, the erection of the Taras Shevchenko Monument in Washington, DC and the publication of Ukraine: a concise encyclopedia.[3]

UNA retains a close relationship with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.[4]

Membership

Membership is open to those of Ukrainian descent or married to the same. People under sixteen must join the junior division.[5]

In 1965 the UNA had 84,414 members. By 1979 this had declined to 81,000.[6] There were 69,000 members in 1995.[7] It now has more than 50,000 members in the United States and Canada, who own over $170 million in life insurance protection in the UNA.

In 1979 the UNA had 465 local units in the US and Canada in twenty nine districts in 1979. Its headquarters were in Jersey City, New Jersey.[8]

Activities

In 1952, the organization founded the Soyuzivka Heritage Center in the Catskills for use as a cultural center by its members. The association founded the weekly English language newspaper, The Ukrainian Weekly and the Ukrainian language daily Svoboda and the monthly Veselka. It also sponsors summer school, folk dances, cultural events and charitable giving.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Alan Axelrod International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders New York; Facts on File, inc 1997 p.245
  2. ↑ Schmidt, Alvin J. Fraternal Organizations Westport, CT; Greenwood Press p.335
  3. ↑ Schmidt p.335
  4. ↑ Schmidt p.336
  5. ↑ Schmidt p.336
  6. ↑ Schmidt p.336
  7. ↑ Axelrod p.245
  8. ↑ Schmidt p.336
  9. ↑ Axelrod p.245

External links

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