About Us

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."

Branch Officer Roster and National Board of Directors Roster  

Find a branch near you.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENTS

C forms completed  by Board members and employees  are available for public inspection at the Home Office.

National President:  

Mary Lou Deyak Voelk (Branch 23) 

National VP of Outreach: 

Annette Sabo Charron (Branch 3) 

National VP of Home Office: 

Richard Grill (Branch 99) 

National VP of Culture and Heritage: 

Georgene Agnich (Branch 20)

National VP of Marketing and Fundraising: 

Stephanie Owens (Branch 93) 

National Treasurer: 

Robert J. Kuhel (Branch 16) 

National Corresponding/Recording Secretary: 

Mary Risner Glaize (Branch 30) 

To contact a Board Director please email: sua@slovenianunion.org

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)  dboelens@aurorapower.com 

Debbie Duris  (Branch 111)  dcduris@gmail.com  

Frances Kovatovich (Branch 35)  velike2000@yahoo.com  

Research & Advisory Committee Members

Richard Terselic (Branch 103)
Chuck Debevec (Branch 109)

Preservation Committee Members:

Carol Novak (Branch 20)

Carole Terlep (Branch 20)

Georgene Agnich (Branch 20) 

Membership Committee Members

Christine Charron (Branch 3)  christinedcharron@gmail.com  

James Lah  (Branch 23)  jlah@ely.k12.mn.us

Richard Mutz  (Branch 20)  sua.members@gmail.com

Facebook Editor

Mary Risner Glaize (Branch 30)