SLOVENIAN UNION OF AMERICA
VISION To be recognized with high esteem as the leading Slovenian heritage and cultural organization responsible for promoting interest and awakening passion in those Americans of Slovenian ancestry and to serve their diverse interests.
MISSION Dedicated to honor and preserve our Slovenian legacy; to promote its ideals and to ensure its longevity for future generations.
PURPOSE To commit ourselves to keeping the spirit alive by fostering in our membership an understanding and appreciation of our Slovenian heritage and by reaching out to awaken or instill this passion in others through communication, education, and the provision of available resources.
Our founder, Marie Prisland
The struggle for women’s rights began in the United States shortly before the Civil War. During the following years, a number of organizations were formed to provide forums for women to speak about those issues of importance to them and to all people with an interest in creating a society with an equality of rights. This fight for justice was recognized in part by enactment of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote.
Marie Prisland, the first President of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America, now, Slovenian Union of America, discussed these activities in her forward for an issue of “Amerika Slovenka”:
“For many years I have been watching various movements which have been launched and carried to a successful result by the women of this country. Seeing that their movements have benefited not only the social conditions of womanhood, but also brought numberless blessings to the community in general, I have often expressed a desire to launch such a movement among the Slovenian women in this free country of America.
“What we needed most was an organization which would foster our ambitions and serve as an open forum for all women of Slovenian birth; where they could freely express their opinions and at the same time, learn the lesson their more fortunate sisters had gathered while living in this country.
“My wishes were more than fulfilled, and my efforts amply rewarded, when the Slovenian Women’s Union was founded in Chicago on the 19th day of December, 1926.”
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENTS
C forms completed by Board members and employees are available for public inspection at the Home Office.
SUA Board of Directors
National Board of Directors – Click here
National President: Joseph Valencic (Branch 111)
National VP of Outreach: Annette Sabo Charron (Branch 3)
National VP of Home Office: Robert Spelich (Branch 24)
National VP of Culture and Heritage: Annelise Gorensek-Benitez (Branch 3)
National VP of Marketing and Fundraising: Christina Echevarria (Branch 30)
National Treasurer: Robert J. Kuhel (Branch 16)
National Corresponding/Recording Secretary: Mary Risner Glaize (Branch 30)
To contact a Board Director please email: [email protected]
Slovenian Union of America 2019-2023 Appointed National Officers
Zarja – The Dawn Director of Design/Layout: Debbie Pohar
Zarja – The Dawn Editor: Bonnie Prokup
Zarja – The Dawn Consulting Editors: Annette Charron and Bernadette K. Fitzsimmons
Director of Special Projects: Denise P. Bartlett
Education & Cultural Grant Committee Members
David Boelens (Branch 30)
Debbie Duris (Branch 111)
Frances Kovatovich (Branch 35)
Preservation Committee Members:
Carol Novak (Branch 20)
Carole Terlep (Branch 20)
Georgene Agnich (Branch 20)
Membership Committee Members
Christine Charron (Branch 3) [email protected]
James Lah (Branch 23)
Richard Mutz (Branch 20) [email protected]
Facebook Editor
Mary Risner Glaize (Branch 30)