The Executive Committee and National Board of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America salute Branch 95 for its work in organizing "The World of the 21st Century Woman" Conference.

Since its inception, the Ukrainian National Women's League of America has addressed issues that pertain to women's well being. The topic is not new, but it is time to make changes in the way we view and achieve our aims and goals in our fast-paced world.

This conference will give us a new vision, a vision that will bring together and empower women from all walks of life to network, engage in professional exchanges, and share concerns about health and environment. The variety of topics will crystallize our thoughts and help us unite to achieve our goals. The conference agenda also underscores that the world has become a village and if one part is troubled, other parts will be affected too. Together, women can do much to turn problems and troubles into opportunities and solutions.

The United Nations conference, held in Beijing, China, in September 1995, brought together thousands of women from around the world to address the full range of issues critical to women's lives. The conference resulted in a Platform for Action. This document highlights a roster of issues that are integral to women's lives and puts women at the forefront of public policy agenda.

Today we are faced with many critical issues, such as where we stand as an organization and how we can have more input in bettering our lives, the lives of our children, family, organization and other institutions that have an impact on our lives.

Americans of Ukrainian heritage and new Ukrainian immigrants also see the problems that Ukraine is having with women and their well being. Economic turmoil, environmental mismanagement, human rights issues, and concerns about their health and the health of their children force many Ukrainian women to leave their homeland, and Ukrainian women can now be found in all parts of the world. Most continue to have spiritual and family ties to Ukraine and feel an obligation to address and help correct some of the problems the country faces. For an individual, providing help is difficult and limited. For an individual working within an organization of committed and goal-oriented women, nothing is impossible.

Thus, the mission of "The World of the 21st Century Woman" conference has a global significance. It will empower Ukrainian women in the United States to better their own lives as well as the lives of their sisters in Ukraine. Let us begin by participating fully in conference activities and seminars. We all have much to learn and much to teach. Working together we can make a difference.

Iryna Kurowyckyj, President