During the first week of February, members of the Ukrainian Women of America participated in Ukrainian Week in Washington, D.C., a platform designed to strengthen U.S.-Ukraine cooperation, coordinate advocacy efforts, and strengthen long-term support for Ukraine.
This was reported by UNWLA – Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Inc.
Hundreds of civic activists, religious leaders, politicians, and community representatives attended the events. Throughout the week, participants engaged in policy discussions, Capitol Hill meetings, interfaith gatherings, and strategic dialogues on humanitarian assistance, security, reconstruction, and civil society resilience.
For the Ukrainian Women of America delegates, the experience was both inspiring and practical, reaffirming the importance of unity, coherence of messages, and continued civic engagement.
Tetyana Tymkiv, a member of the Union of Ukrainian Women of America in Dallas, Texas, attended Ukrainian Week for the first time. She noted:
“The first thing that struck me was the sense of unity and common purpose: people from different walks of life, with different experiences, and from different regions united around a shared commitment to the future of Ukraine.”
According to her, Ukrainian Week creates a powerful bridge between Ukraine and the United States on a very human level.
“It’s not just about political discussions; it’s about real relationships, real stories, and real impact.”
Tetyana emphasized that the event transforms advocacy into a meaningful dialogue, thanks to which the voices of Ukraine and the diaspora are heard directly at the highest levels of decision-making. In her opinion, the key message is clear: Ukraine’s struggle is about defending democratic values, human dignity, and freedom—principles that matter far beyond its borders.
She also highlighted a practical lesson for the organization:
“The value of coordinated advocacy based on clear messages cannot be overstated. When local initiatives align with national priorities and we speak with one consistent voice, our impact increases exponentially.”
Oksana Bats, New Jersey’s regional advocacy chair, was attending the event for the first time.
“I was struck by the strong sense of purpose, professionalism, and collaboration. The unique value of Ukrainian Week is that it brings together the Ukrainian community with policymakers in a coordinated and focused way, amplifying Ukraine’s voice,” she said.
For Oksana, the main message was unity—both within the Ukrainian community and in collective advocacy efforts. She emphasized that consistent and organized work must continue even after major events:
“Ukrainian Week emphasized the importance of remaining actively engaged and strengthening coordination at both the local and national levels.”
President of Chapter 148 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Maria Doan, called her participation a profound and meaningful experience.
“What struck me most was the strong sense of unity—Ukrainians, Ukrainian Americans, and allies united around a common goal based not only on advocacy but also on faith and a moral commitment to justice.”
Maria emphasized the combination of political activism and spiritual resilience, emphasizing that the participation of religious leaders demonstrated that support for Ukraine is not just a political issue, but a deeply human one. She also sees Ukrainian Week as an opportunity to develop regional partnerships:
“This experience has strengthened my determination to develop international cooperation, in particular between Minnesota and the Chernihiv region, building on the memorandum of cooperation signed in 2024.”
A special event was the Women’s Tea, which brought together women leaders and public figures for meaningful communication, exchange of experiences, and mutual support. For the members of the Union of Ukrainian Women of America, it was a confirmation of the important role of women in shaping policy, strengthening communities, and combining local initiatives with national advocacy.
During the Women’s Tea, Marianne Tretyak presented commemorative awards for the centennial of the Union of Ukrainian Women of America to Anna Mishchenko, president of the Kyiv School of Public Administration, and Nadiya Khomazyuk, executive director of the American-Ukrainian Business Council.
Ukrainian Week has become more than just a series of meetings; it is a reminder that advocacy is most effective when it is visible, coordinated, and continuous. Participation in national advocacy events strengthens the collective voice of the community, builds long-term relationships with policymakers, and helps keep Ukraine at the center of American policy.
The Ukrainian Women of America Union encourages members and supporters across the country to join upcoming advocacy initiatives, including the Ukraine in Action Summit in the spring of 2026, hosted by the American Coalition for Ukraine. The summit brings together community leaders, experts, and activists for policy briefings, strategic sessions, and coordinated meetings on Capitol Hill.
The UAA believes that active participation matters. When the community acts informed, united, and prepared, solidarity translates into concrete action, and Ukraine's voice continues to be heard clearly and consistently in Washington.
Photo: UNWLA – Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Inc.
Author: Inna Mikhno