Ukrainian National Women's League of America  The Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA) is a charitable and cultural organization that unites women of Ukrainian descent, as well as those who are active in the Ukrainian communities of the United States. Established in 1925, the organization is guided by the principles of political non-partisanship, religious tolerance, and universal respect for human rights. The UNWLA was established in 1925 by five Ukrainian women's associations in New York City and vicinity. The reason for unification was the exclusion of the National Council of Women (NCW) of Ukraine from the International Council of Women at the ICW's General assembly held in Washington, D.C., in May 1925. The NCW of Ukraine had been a member of the ICW since 1920. Its exclusion from the ICW occurred as a direct result of Ukraine's loss of national independence, a prerequisite for ICW membership. At the meeting of Ukrainian women's associations in New York City, following the delegation's return from Washington, it was decided to form a centralized organization. This decision was approved in June 1926, and the name given to the new organization was "Soyuz Ukrayinok Ameryky" - Ukrainian National Women's League of America. The goal of unification was to inform the free world about events in Ukraine, to support the homeland both spiritually and materially, and to promote the preservation of Ukrainian national identity, cultural heritage, and ethnic traditions in the United States. In 1948 The UNWLA was the first ethnic organization in the United States to become an associate member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Joining the GFWC gave the UNWLA an opportunity to participate in national and international events on an equal footing with other American women's organizations. In 1952 the UNWLA became a member of the National Council of Women of the United States (NCW/USA). UNWLA presidents are ex officio members of the Board of Directors of the NCW/USA, and UNWLA members have been elected to serve on its Executive Committee. In 1992, for the first time in the NCW's 108-year history, a UNWLA member - Iryna Kurowyckyj - was elected President. Membership in the NCW/USA entitle UNWLA members to participate in its meetings and attend the triennial General Assembly of the International Council of Women (ICW). The 2006 ICW General Assembly was held in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.