Mary Kalyna, a seasoned social justice activist from West Mt. Airy, is focused on mobilizing support for Ukraine and the upcoming 2024 elections. Recently honored with a Social Justice Award, Kalyna’s deep-rooted activism addresses the struggles of her Ukrainian heritage and emphasizes the importance of supporting democracy. She remains engaged with both the local community and growing political movements, aiming to ensure Ukrainian American voices are heard this election season.
Mary Kalyna, a devoted social justice advocate from West Mt. Airy, is gearing up for the 2024 elections, focusing on rallying votes to support Ukraine and uphold democracy in the U.S. She passionately supports Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, expressing, “At least I know I will feel that I did everything I could possibly do to elect her, so I will have no regrets.” For Kalyna, the stakes are high as she emphasizes the ongoing sacrifices Ukrainians are making for freedom and democracy. Recently, Kalyna was honored with a 2024 Social Justice Award for Community Service by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, recognizing her tireless work championing civil and human rights as well as her role within the Philadelphia Ukrainian community. A local fixture for over 40 years, she began coordinating the Black Lives Matter Vigil to advocate for racial justice. Kalyna’s activism is deeply rooted in her family’s historical struggles, from Nazi occupations to Stalin’s engineered famine. “The Ukrainian people have lived through so much,” she shared, recalling her family’s harrowing experiences during tumultuous periods in history, including the trauma of Chernobyl. She pointed out the ongoing attempts by Putin to erase Ukrainian culture and language. In 2013, she co-founded “Euromaidan Philadelphia; Human Rights in Ukraine” to bolster justice and democracy efforts. Currently involved with “Stop Trump, Save Ukraine,” she encourages civic engagement among Ukrainian Americans. Her connection to Ukraine is profound, with many relatives still living there, which fuels her commitment to activism. Kalyna, born in upstate New York, carries a legacy of hardship with her parents’ experiences in labor camps and the challenges her family faced post-World War II. She started her activism early by organizing Earth Day events and later joined movements for anti-war and women’s rights during her college years, obtaining a psychology degree and an MBA from prestigious institutions. After moving to Philadelphia in 1976, she witnessed the social ramifications of racism and poverty as a social worker, later advocating for fair custody practices. Now a full-time activist, she has become a spokesperson for Ukrainian issues, sharing insights and raising awareness across various media platforms about the situation in Ukraine. Kalyna finds it disheartening that some fellow Ukrainian Americans support Trump, despite his controversial remarks about Ukraine. She attributes this to a historical wariness of left-leaning ideologies among many Ukrainians. Still, she sees signs of change as some lifelong Republicans express intent to vote Democrat. As election day approaches, Kalyna and her team plan to host public events aimed at educating and mobilizing the Ukrainian American community to register and cast their votes, wanting to ensure that every voice is heard in this pivotal moment in history.
Mary Kalyna represents the intersection of Ukrainian diasporic identity and American political engagement. Her life has been marked by personal connections to significant historical events and a commitment to social justice. As tensions in Ukraine persist, Kalyna’s activism serves as a grassroots response to support her homeland while navigating complex political landscapes in the U.S. Her background in social work provides a unique lens through which she approaches her advocacy, intertwining community service with broader human rights issues.
Mary Kalyna’s dedication to activism showcases an unwavering commitment to defending democracy in both Ukraine and the U.S. Her efforts, highlighted by the recent Social Justice Award, reflect the urgency felt among activists as they prepare for the upcoming elections. Kalyna’s layered personal narrative enhances her advocacy and calls for community mobilization, revealing the profound connections between history, identity, and civic duty.
Original Source: chestnuthilllocal.com
