The Philadelphia Regional Council of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) is preparing to mark the organization’s 100th anniversary with a charity jubilee event. Proceeds will be distributed between two Ukrainian initiatives: an advocacy campaign for the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, and a Philadelphia concert by the Girls' Chamber Choir of the Mykola Lysenko Kyiv State Music Lyceum.
This was reported by the Philadelphia Regional Council of the UNWLA.
The anniversary celebration is scheduled for October 25, 2026, at the Ukrainian Center in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. It aims to bring together UNWLA members, their families, clergy, and friends of the Ukrainian community in the Philadelphia region.
"One hundred years of service. One evening to celebrate it"—this is how the organizers have framed the jubilee's central theme.
The history of the UNWLA began in 1925, when a group of Ukrainian women united for mutual support, the preservation of Ukrainian culture, and service to their community. A century later, the Philadelphia Regional Council seeks not only to reflect on the organization's journey but also to turn the anniversary into an opportunity to support modern-day Ukraine.
To this end, the organizers have set a fundraising goal of $20,000. According to the data they released, 55 donors have already supported the campaign, with contributions totaling $5,695—or 28% of the set goal.
"Every dollar raised through sponsorships and donations goes directly toward two objectives," the organizers emphasize.
Half of the funds raised will be allocated to the UNWLA’s national advocacy initiative, "Bring Ukrainian Children Home." Its goal is to maintain public attention and political advocacy regarding the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia.
Data cited by the Regional Council indicates that at least 20,000 Ukrainian children have been documented as having been taken by Russia, though the actual figure may be significantly higher due to a lack of complete data from occupied territories. The organizers note that, at the time the campaign was announced, approximately 2,200 children had been successfully returned home.
"This progress relies on sustained political pressure and public attention—and that is precisely why such advocacy campaigns exist," notes the UNWLA Philadelphia Council.
The remaining half of the funds will be retained in Philadelphia to organize a concert by the Chamber Girls' Choir of the Mykola Lysenko Kyiv State Music Lyceum, scheduled for November 8, 2026. For the organizers, the performance by these young Ukrainian musicians in the U.S. holds significance that extends beyond a mere cultural event.
"Young Ukrainian artists performing on American soil during wartime serve as living proof that Russia will not succeed in erasing Ukrainian culture," the statement reads.
The Philadelphia council emphasizes that both areas of focus—advocacy for the return of children and the support of Ukrainian culture—require ongoing community involvement. That is why the organization decided to mark its centenary not only by celebrating the past but also by raising funds for specific projects.
"Neither of these endeavors sustains itself. Without constant support, opportunities such as concerts, advocacy campaigns, and the bridge connecting Ukrainian-Americans with their homeland do not merely diminish; they gradually fade and disappear entirely," the organizers noted.
The anniversary also serves to highlight the century-long tradition of the Ukrainian women's movement in the United States and its enduring connection to Ukraine.
"That is why we invite you today to become part of this story—to support us through your presence, partnership, or donations—so that the next hundred years of Ukrainian service, culture, and support for Ukraine may continue not only in memory but also through our collective actions," urged the Philadelphia Regional Council of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA).
The UNWLA’s 100th-anniversary celebration will take place on October 25 at the Ukrainian Center, located at 700 N Cedar Rd, Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. Fundraising for the two Ukrainian initiatives is currently underway.
Photo: UNWLA, Philadelphia Regional Council
Author: Inna Mikhno