Ukrainian Association of Washington State

The Ukrainian Association of Washington State (UAWS) is a regional Ukrainian-American nonprofit organization founded in Seattle in 1971. It was originally established as the Ukrainian American Club of Washington by Wolodymyr Klos, an immigrant from Ukraine, and later adopted its current name. The association represents and connects people of Ukrainian origin and others interested in Ukrainian heritage in Washington State and the wider Pacific Northwest, including links with Ukrainian communities in British Columbia. UAWS combines cultural preservation, community programming, public advocacy, educational support, and charitable activity. Its cultural work includes Ukrainian Christmas observances, celebrations of the birthday of poet Taras Shevchenko, participation in Seattle's Northwest Folklife Festival and other regional events, concerts, folk arts, Ukrainian-language education, and support for Ukrainian Studies. The organization has also sponsored children's language classes, emergency translation assistance, and the Barvinok Ukrainian folk dance group. Barvinok has received awards at Ukrainian dance festivals, including multiple medals at a 2010 festival in Canada. The association's civic and political activity began during the Cold War, when it advocated for Ukrainian independence, opposed Soviet repression, and supported political prisoners of Ukrainian origin. It cultivated relationships with American elected officials and organized or supported public events involving Washington governors, Seattle mayors, members of Congress, and representatives of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission. In 1973, it organized an event marking the Ukrainian independence proclamation of 1918, at a time when Ukraine remained part of the Soviet Union. During the 1980s, it supported opposition to the Soviet Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod gas pipeline. After Ukraine became independent in 1991, the association redirected some of its advocacy and fundraising toward the new Ukrainian state, including assistance connected with the Chernobyl disaster. It also moved its principal Ukrainian Independence Day observance from January 22, associated with the 1918 independence proclamation, to August 24, the modern Ukrainian national holiday. The local Ukrainian community became more diverse after 1991, with immigrants arriving from different regions and with a broader range of religious backgrounds; UAWS increasingly operated across denominational and regional lines. UAWS played a visible role in diaspora responses to major events in Ukraine. During the 2004 Orange Revolution, it advocated for fair elections and helped Ukrainian citizens in Washington State reach a polling place in San Francisco when no polling station was initially available in Seattle. During the repeat presidential vote, the association helped secure the opening of a polling station in Kent, Washington. In 2014 and afterward, it supported Seattle-area demonstrations related to Euromaidan, Russia's annexation of Crimea, and the war in eastern Ukraine. It raised funds for humanitarian supplies, military first-aid materials, independent Ukrainian media, displaced or bereaved families, and other relief efforts. The organization also supports remembrance and international solidarity. In 2008, it sponsored Seattle activities connected with the international Holodomor Remembrance Flame, including a reception attended by officials from Ukraine, the United States, and Canada. Its institutional relationships include the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Ukrainian diplomatic missions, Ukrainian churches, universities, cultural organizations, and other ethnic-community groups. Governance is centered on a nine-member Board of Directors, which elects an executive president and publishes reports for members. Publicly documented 2021 leadership included Lilya Kovalenko as president and directors serving in vice-presidential, secretarial, treasurer, and board roles.

UAWS was established in Seattle on September 27, 1971, as the Ukrainian American Club of Washington. Its founder and first president was Wolodymyr Klos. The club's first documented public program was a Ukrainian Christmas event at Seattle's Museum of History and Industry in December 1971, combining religious and cultural traditions with Ukrainian music, carols, and an arts-and-crafts exhibition. The organization expanded its annual calendar during the 1970s. It began holding commemorations of Taras Shevchenko in 1972 and organized a Ukrainian independence observance in 1973. At that time, the diaspora used January 22 to mark the 1918 Ukrainian independence proclamation. The 1973 program drew participants from the northwestern United States and British Columbia, and included support from Washington Governor Daniel Evans and Seattle Mayor Wes Uhlman. In 1975, the association sponsored a Ukrainian Northwest Festival attended by thousands of people from the United States and Canada. It also participated in United States Bicentennial programming in 1976 through a Ukrainian folk-art exhibition. During the Cold War, UAWS combined cultural activity with advocacy against Soviet rule. It encouraged American official proclamations supporting Ukrainian independence and participated in campaigns concerning the treatment of Ukrainian political prisoners. In 1976, it joined a protest near Seattle's Soviet Technical Exhibition calling for the release of Ukrainian journalist Viacheslav Chornovil and Jewish artist Boris Penson. Association representatives also communicated with members of Congress and met First Lady Betty Ford while seeking freedom for historian Valentyn Moroz. In September 1982, UAWS organized Seattle protests against the planned Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod pipeline, aligning with concerns that the project would increase Europe's dependence on Soviet energy. The dissolution of the Soviet Union and Ukraine's independence in 1991 changed the association's role. Its independence observances shifted to August 24, Ukraine's official Independence Day, and fundraising increasingly supported institutions and humanitarian causes in Ukraine. UAWS also assisted with responses to the Chernobyl disaster. The local diaspora became more regionally, linguistically, and religiously diverse after 1991, as newer arrivals came from across Ukraine and included more Evangelical Protestants. The association consequently developed a broader community orientation rather than being closely tied to one church or immigrant generation. In the twenty-first century, the association continued its heritage work while becoming active in responses to political developments in Ukraine. It sponsored the Seattle stop of the 2008 Holodomor Remembrance Flame, supporting a commemoration attended by Ukrainian, American, and Canadian officials. During the 2004 Orange Revolution, it advocated for transparent elections and voting access. When Ukrainian citizens in Washington initially lacked a local polling station, UAWS arranged a bus trip to the Ukrainian consulate in San Francisco. For the repeat vote, it helped persuade Ukrainian authorities to establish a polling place in Kent, Washington. The 2013–2014 Euromaidan movement and the subsequent war intensified UAWS's political and charitable work. The association supported Seattle demonstrations, established a political committee in 2014, and advocated against Russian aggression and for the release of Ukrainian political detainee Nadiya Savchenko. It also raised money for protesters, wounded Ukrainian soldiers, first-aid supplies, independent Ukrainian media, families affected by the war, and other humanitarian needs. Its cultural program continued through Christmas and Shevchenko events, concerts, Ukrainian Studies support, language classes, and participation in Northwest cultural festivals. Since 2004, it has sponsored the Barvinok folk dance group. Governance is handled by a nine-member Board of Directors, which elects an executive president and issues periodic reports to members.

• 2014

  Expanded Ukraine solidarity work

  [1]Ukrainian Association of Washington Stateen.wikipedia.org

  UAWS formed a political committee and intensified rallies, advocacy, and humanitarian fundraising following Euromaidan and Russia's intervention in Ukraine.

• 2008

  Holodomor remembrance

  [1]Ukrainian Association of Washington Stateen.wikipedia.org

  The association sponsored Seattle events connected with the international Holodomor Remembrance Flame.

• 2004

  Orange Revolution election advocacy

  [1]Ukrainian Association of Washington Stateen.wikipedia.org

  UAWS helped Ukrainian citizens in Washington access presidential voting during Ukraine's contested election and repeat ballot.

• 1991

  Ukraine becomes independent

  [1]Ukrainian Association of Washington Stateen.wikipedia.org

  UAWS shifted its principal independence observance to August 24 and expanded fundraising for Ukraine and Chernobyl-related relief.

• 1982

  Pipeline protests

  [1]Ukrainian Association of Washington Stateen.wikipedia.org

  The association organized Seattle demonstrations opposing the Soviet Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod pipeline.

• 1975

  First Ukrainian Northwest Festival

  [1]Ukrainian Association of Washington Stateen.wikipedia.org

  UAWS sponsored a large regional festival featuring Ukrainian performers and attracting visitors from the United States and Canada.

• 1973

  Independence advocacy begins

  [1]Ukrainian Association of Washington Stateen.wikipedia.org

  The club held its first major political activity in support of Ukrainian independence and organized Ukrainian-language courses at the University of Washington.

• 1972

  First Shevchenko commemoration

  [1]Ukrainian Association of Washington Stateen.wikipedia.org

  UAWS began its continuing tradition of marking the birthday of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko.

• 1971

  Organization founded in Seattle

  [1]Ukrainian Association of Washington Stateen.wikipedia.org

  The Ukrainian American Club of Washington was founded on September 27, with Wolodymyr Klos as founder and first president.

A regional, nonpartisan-institutional Ukrainian diaspora organization positioned at the intersection of cultural preservation, civic representation, education, and humanitarian solidarity. UAWS serves both heritage preservation and practical community advocacy, connecting Washington's Ukrainian-American population with Ukrainian institutions, North American diaspora organizations, and broader public audiences.

• Community programming · 1971

  Cultural celebrations

  UAWS organizes Ukrainian Christmas programs, Taras Shevchenko commemorations, Independence Day events, concerts, and appearances at regional cultural festivals. These programs present Ukrainian music, dance, language, history, crafts, and food to Ukrainian-American audiences and the wider public.

• Education · 1973

  Ukrainian language and studies support

  The association has organized or funded Ukrainian-language instruction, children's classes, emergency translation assistance, and Ukrainian Studies support. Beneficiaries mentioned in reference material include the University of Washington, Seattle Pacific University, Harvard University, and institutions in Ukraine.

• Performing arts · 2004

  Barvinok Ukrainian folk dance group

  Sponsored by UAWS since 2004, Barvinok provides Ukrainian folk-dance training and performance opportunities. The group has received awards at international Ukrainian festivals, including four gold and two silver medals at a Canadian festival in 2010.

• Charitable services · 1971

  Humanitarian and charitable support

  UAWS raises funds for humanitarian relief, first-aid supplies, Ukrainian soldiers and war-affected families, independent media, Chernobyl victims, cultural organizations, and educational endowments. Its charitable activity has responded to both local community needs and crises in Ukraine.

• 2014Euromaidan and Ukraine solidarity activities

  Seattle · Washington State · Ukraine

  UAWS organized and supported rallies concerning Euromaidan, Russia's annexation of Crimea, and the subsequent war in Ukraine, while raising funds for humanitarian and community needs.

  Outcome. The association established a political committee and expanded its public advocacy and relief work.

  Source
• 2008Holodomor Remembrance Flame

  Seattle · United States · Canada · Australia

  The association sponsored Seattle programming for the international remembrance relay marking the Holodomor's 75th anniversary.

  Outcome. The Seattle ceremony and reception connected Ukrainian, American, and Canadian officials with the local community.

  Source
• 2004Orange Revolution election access campaign

  Washington State · Ukraine

  UAWS advocated for a presidential-election polling place in the Seattle area and arranged transportation to San Francisco when local access was unavailable.

  Outcome. A polling station was subsequently opened in Kent, Washington, for the repeat vote.

  Source
• 1975Ukrainian Northwest Festival

  United States · Canada

  UAWS sponsored a regional festival combining Ukrainian artists, musicians, and dancers with diaspora advocacy for Ukrainian independence.

  Outcome. The festival drew more than 3,500 attendees according to the reference material and received messages from Canadian and American public figures.

  Source
• 1973Ukrainian Independence Commemorations

  Washington State · Pacific Northwest · British Columbia

  UAWS organized public commemorations of the 1918 Ukrainian independence proclamation and encouraged American officials to issue statements supporting Ukrainian independence while Ukraine was still part of the Soviet Union.

  Outcome. The events became a recurring association tradition and attracted support from Washington and Seattle officials.

  Source

• 2014

  Create a political committeeStrategy

  Background

  Euromaidan and Russia's military intervention in Ukraine generated increased demand for organized diaspora advocacy.

  Action taken

  UAWS formed a political committee to coordinate rallies and advocacy concerning Russian aggression, Ukrainian political prisoners, and related issues.

  Aftermath

  The association maintained a more sustained public and political role in the Seattle area while continuing humanitarian fundraising.

  Source

• 1991

  Move Independence Day observance to August 24Strategy

  Background

  Following Ukraine's independence, the association updated its main national celebration from January 22, associated with the 1918 proclamation, to Ukraine's modern Independence Day.

  Action taken

  UAWS adopted August 24 as the date for its principal Ukrainian Independence Day activities.

  Aftermath

  The change aligned the association's public calendar with the independent Ukrainian state's official holiday.

  Source

1. 1Ukrainian Association of Washington Stateen.wikipedia.org