OLENA ZELENSKA . Current first lady of Ukraine, wife of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Olena Zelenska is a screenwriter who enjoys sports, likes to read, and is a fan of cinematography. She became world renowned when Ukraine was invaded by Russia in 2022, and herself, her husband Volodymyr, and all Ukrainians took a bold stance in defense of their country and continue to do so to this day. Before the war, Zelenska’s social activities were mainly centered on the health of future generations, equal opportunities, and cultural diplomacy. Some of her many initiatives include the improvement of the school food system, the development of the national strategy for a safe school environment, physical accessibility and amenities for all social groups, the fight against domestic and gender-based violence, and the introduction of audio guides in the Ukrainian language at the best cultural institutions in more than 30 countries. The project “Ukrainian bookshelf” is being carried out under the patronage of the First Lady and provides for the distribution of Ukrainian literature and its translations in the world's leading libraries. On 23 August 2021, Zelenska organized the First Kyiv Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen that took place in the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. After the war broke out, Zelenska’s efforts focused on humanitarian aid, evacuation of children from the conflict zones, and preserving and expanding education in the Ukrainian language for displaced nationals who took shelter in various countries. In July 2022, Olena Zelenska visited the United States and addressed the US Congress, the first foreign first lady to do so, when she called for more military aid to the Ukrainian Armed Forces to protect the country from Russian invasion. During this trip, Zelenska also accepted the Dissident Human Rights Award at the Victims of Communism Memorial in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the entire Ukrainian people.
In September 2022, Zelenska was present as an invitee to Ursula von der Leyen's third State of the European Union address, where the EU Commission President rendered homage to her courage during the war in Ukraine. Also in September 2022, Zelenska launched her humanitarian foundation to help Ukrainians affected by the armed conflict to restore human capital, recover their health, and rebuild their lives. The foundation works in partnership with global businesses and organization to raise awareness and funds for the Ukrainian cause and the post-war reconstruction of the country, as well as to promote Ukrainian language and culture across the world. Olena Zelenska received international recognition for her humanitarian work, including the World Peace award from Poland, and the Hillary Rodham Clinton Award, presented annually by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, recognizing the exceptional leadership in promoting women’s rights and creating a more peaceful and secure world for all. In November 2022, Olena Zelenska was included in the ELLE 100 Women, in December 2022, she was honored as one of the BBC 100 Women, and in November 2023, she was listed as one of the 25 most influential women in the world, according to the Financial Times. Empowered and powerful women take the future in their hands, open new horizons for everyone, and elevate both women and men as luminaries and catalysts for change and prosperity. Resourceful, caring and nurturing, self-sufficient, professional, multitaskers, creative strategists, to name just a few of their many traits, each of these highly accomplished “modern Renaissance women” has a long list of outstanding achievements that goes on and on. Even a selected few of the many activity highlights of such amazing ladies are enough to encourage and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
63
Powered by FlippingBook