Milena Rudnytska

Milena Rudnytska (1892-1978) – Ukraine

Oil and embroidery on linen canvas.

Rudnytska was born in Western Ukraine and graduated from Lviv University, before becoming a founding member and president of the Union of Ukrainian Women. As a member of the Polish Sejm from 1928 to 1935, she brought issues of suppression by government authorities to the world stage, including the Soviet regime’s denial of starvation in Ukraine during the famine of 1932-1933. With the Soviet and Nazi occupations of Ukraine, Rudnytska fled the country and remained in exile for the rest of her life.

All Ukrainian women were granted suffrage in 1919, although no women served as government ministers under Soviet rule.

All proceeds from this work will go to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal for the @disastersemergencycommittee to help families fleeing the conflict.