From Architect to Ukrainian Activist, Natalia Lebedin shares her story of fighting for Ukrainian independence from 5,000 miles away.
Growing up Ukrainian in Winnipeg, Canada, Natalia explored the wilderness through Plast, a Ukrainian Scouting Organization, which served to preserve culture and language after the mass dispersion and resettlement of the Ukrainian people. In her talk, Natalia shares her experience of growing up Ukrainian— the culture and history that shaped her. This includes her family’s story of living through Russian Soviet occupation, how this shapes her understanding of the war today, and what we can all do to help Ukrainians who are fighting for their independence against Russia.
About the speaker
Natalia was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She studied poetry and architecture and landed in Columbus by way of Chicago before starting a family and a career. The daughter of Ukrainian refugees, she bears the weight of an acute understanding of the current war in Ukraine. Juggling family, a recent promotion, and global pandemic, she found herself assuming the role of social activist. She suddenly found herself shouting into a megaphone, giving statements to media, and learning what fundraising really means; the very things that she finds most uncomfortable to perform. Organizing rallies, public speaking, and asking people for money do not come easy to her but she is willing to do what is necessary, whatever she can, to fight for a free and democratic Ukraine.
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