ДІЯЛЬНІСТЬ СОЮЗУ УКРАЇНОК КАНАДИ 20–30-х років ХХ ст. КРІЗЬ ПРИЗМУ ПУБЛІКАЦІЙ У ТОГОЧАСНИХ КАЛЕНДАРЯХ І АЛЬМАНАХАХ

Abstract

Fighting the threat of possible assimilation of the Ukrainian ethnic group combined with the necessity for successful socio-economic integration into the multiethnic Canadian society, on the one hand, and the need for Uk-rainian women to protect their rights on the other hand, prompted Ukrainian Canadian women to establish the UCC (– UCC – Ukrainian Canadian Congress) (Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada) in 1926. Founded as a voluntary association to overcome illiteracy and to provide mutual assi¬stance in the adaptation of emigrant women and their families, the UCC has over time developed into a full-fledged public organization with a wide range of activity. This became possible due to the well-organized work of the leadership of the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada and the change of attitude towards gender equality. One of the important tasks of the Associa¬tion was the fostering of an educated nationally conscious mother and public person, educator of the younger generation, guardian of her religion and traditional customs. In addition to education and art events, the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada also organized assistance to the Ukrainian liberation movement by collecting donations to help political prisoners and injured soldiers of the Ukrainian army and shaping the public position and national consciousness of Ukrainian women. Publications in calendars and almanacs of the 1920’s–1930’s clearly testify to the great work done by the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada. It was a self-sufficient multi-level organization that effectively encouraged Ukrainian women to work sys¬tematically in the community and their family. Keywords: Ukrainian diaspora of Canada, women’s movement, Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada, liberals, calendars, “Ukrainian Voice”.