Вінніпеґ Український № 4 (28) (June 2017)

n June 3, a container of urgently needed medical supplies
will be on its way to Ukraine thanks to the tireless
O
efforts of the Winnipeg Chapter of the Ukrainian Canadian
Women’s Committee. The Ukrainian Canadian Women’s
Committee is comprised of three organizations: Ukrainian
Catholic Women’s League of Canada, League of Ukrainian Canadians
in Canada and the Ukrainian Women’s Association of
Canada.
To mark a series of significant anniversaries, including Canada’s
150th birthday and the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian
immigration to Canada, Ukrainian Canadians across Canada are
expressing their gratitude to our adopted country and the bounties
it has bestowed upon us by holding celebrations of various
kinds: dinners, luncheons, picnics, special church services,
concerts and less formal events. Manitobans got a head start on
the festivities in March 2016 with the proclamation of the
Year of Manitoba’s Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Heritage.
Over the past 125 years Ukrainian Canadians have
contributed to every aspect of Canadian society, from
business, to politics, from education to medicine, from
culture to sports. Yet many have not forgotten their roots
and work to support their brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
Once such event took place on April 2 at Winnipeg’s
Holy Eucharist Parish Centre as six current and former
Ukrainian Canadian women politicians were honoured
to mark an additional anniversary, the 100th anniversary
of women first achieving the vote in a Manitoba election.
Honorees included: MP for Kildonan-St.Paul the
Hon. MaryAnn Mihychuk, former MP and MLA Judy
Wasylycia-Leis, former MLAs Christine Melnick, Rosann
Wowchuk, and Leanne Rowat, and current River East
MLA and Minister of Sustainable Development Cathy
Cox.
More than 300 individuals, including many politicians
and religious and community leaders, crammed into the
Centre to recognize these exceptional women. Following
a tasty dinner and entertainment, each honoree was
acknowledged and received a corsage and a commemorative
piece of art by acclaimed Manitoba artist Frank
Saprowich. Each shared her experiences and spoke about what
most influenced their careers and lives.
The keynote address was delivered by former MLA and
long-time friend of the Ukrainian Canadian community, Joy
Smith. Mrs. Smith spoke about the difficult path of a politician,
but even more so for women politicians. Despite progress in
addressing gender roles, women still tend to bear the major
responsibility for housework and the care and nurturing of
children. Small wonder, therefore, that of 57 Manitoba MLAs,
only 13 are currently women and that in all of Manitoba’s history,
there have been only a total of 60 female MLAs. All of
the speakers encouraged girls, parents and the community at
large to do their utmost to influence young women to consider
politics as a career.
Closing remarks were made by Joanne Lewandosky, President
of the Winnipeg branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Women’s
Committee, who congratulated all of the honorees and thanked
all who attended and those who provided financial support
for this cause. The funds raised from this event (more than
$15,000 to date) will cover the shipping costs of a container
of donated medical supplies to Ukraine through Hope International
in partnership with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress –
Manitoba Provincial Council. УВ
The Hon. MaryAnn Mihychuk
MaryAnn Mihychuk
Maryann.Mihychuk@parl.gc.ca
(204) 984-6322
- ЧЕРВЕНЬ 2017 - Український Вінніпеґ
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