05 May 2025

May 5 — 80th Anniversary of the Birth of Bohdana Protsak

80 years ago, on 5 May 1945, Bohdana Protsak was born in Chortkiv District, Ternopil Region — a civic leader who dedicated her life to the development of Ukrainian culture in Crimea.

Having been born in the west of Ukraine, she later moved to Sevastopol, where she became a key figure in the Ukrainian movement.

In Sevastopol, she was among the initiators of local Ukrainian organizations. She headed the city branch of the Union of Ukrainian Women, co-founded the local chapter of Prosvita, and helped establish the Sevastopol Plast scout organization and the Greek Catholic community, contributing to the revival of religious life among Ukrainians.

Charitable work held a special place in her efforts. The organization she founded, Hromadska Opika (Public Care), supported orphans, the elderly, and large families. Thanks to her connections with the diaspora in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, she provided Sevastopol with humanitarian aid and coordinated the delivery of medical supplies to hospitals and Ukrainian military units after the restoration of independence.

Bohdana Protsak actively supported educational and cultural initiatives: she organized events at the Ukrainian Cultural and Information Center, initiated the Embroidered Towel of National Unity campaign, and launched a tradition of Christmas trips for children to the west of Ukraine so they could experience the beauty of authentic traditions.

Even after 2014, Bohdana remained in Crimea, serving as a symbol of Ukrainian presence in Russian-occupied Sevastopol. She passed away on February 6, 2017. Her farewell ceremony was held at the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the city, attended by family, like-minded colleagues, and representatives of various denominations who came to honor a remarkable Ukrainian woman.

For her contributions, Bohdana Protsak was awarded the Order of Princess Olga, 3rd and 2nd Class.