This year marks my mother’s 100th Birthday—a milestone that fills me with deep pride and reflection.

My mother came to Canada from Ukraine in the aftermath of the Second World War, with two small children and a little more than the strength in her heart and hope in her eyes. She arrived in Winnipeg, where she had to start over — in a new language, in an unfamiliar land, and in the unforgiving cold of the prairies.

She found work, learned English and built a home for her family against all odds. But what sustained her most in those early years was the Ukrainian community that surrounded her— a network of fellow immigrants who shared her stories, her songs, her traditions, and most importantly, her longing of the homeland she had left behind.

That community spirit lives on today in places like Oseredok - The Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre in Winnipeg. Oseredok is more than just a museum and library. It is a sanctuary of memory, a keeper of culture, a place where generations of Ukrainian Canadians can connect to their heritage. It is a living tribute to people like my mother — who despite adversity, never let go of where they came from.

in honour of my mother’s centennial birthday, I invite you to consider making a donation to Oseredok. Your support will help preserve the language, art, history and stories that defines her life and the lives of so many like her.

Let us celebrate not just one remarkable woman, but the entire generation of Ukrainians who built a new life while keeping their culture alive. With your help, we can ensure their stories — and their legacy — endure for the next hundred years.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Irka Mendela