The first winners of the Portraits of Sisterhood Award
Sestry Portal is a unique project that connects and supports Ukrainian women around the world. It was founded by experienced Ukrainian and Polish journalists with the support of the Kulczyk Foundation. One of their initiatives is the Portraits of Sisterhood Award. It is intended to honor Polish and Ukrainian women who stand out for their active citizenship and readiness to make sacrifices, supporting those who need it the most.
– We are women, and sisters, united by a community of experiences – as mothers, partners, daughters, and friends. I would like to express my appreciation and admiration for all women on both sides who, having experienced war, loss, and often the tragedy of their loved ones, steadfastly move on, infecting others with their energy. It is not only this group of wonderful women who were noticed by the Sestra chapter, but all the extraordinary everyday heroines to whom we bow low today - emphasizes Dominika Kulczyk.
The whole team worked
The award winners are Marta Majewska, Halina Andruszków, and Wiktoria Batryn. The first of them, the mayor of the border town of Hrubieszów, became known as an excellent organizer of aid for Ukrainian refugees after Russia's aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. It was her who provided those fleeing the war with the first shelter, a meal, accommodation, and psychological help. It organized a system for registering refugees and coordinating transport. Thanks to this, thousands of people could be transported to safe places deep in Poland. Her energy and passion for action led her to encourage hundreds of Hrubieszów residents to become involved as volunteers in helping refugees.
– The very night the war broke out, we received the first information from our colleagues who ran the sports and recreation center that the first Ukrainians had appeared there. In fact, it was the only room, the only building that could accommodate a large number of people. We quickly organized places to sleep there: we laid carpets and put in beds. We brought water and food and provided the bare minimum that was needed at the beginning. The number of people increased every day. Of course, I would never have organized everything myself. A whole team of caring people worked on it, Marta Majewska recalled in an interview with the Sestry portal.
A way of life
Halina Andruszków and Wiktoria Batryn are mother and daughter who started by sending parcels to the children of soldiers fighting in Donbas in 2014. Since then, the Uniters Foundation has united thousands of volunteers from all over the world. In cooperation with over 150 organizations, it donated over 6,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian winners of the Portraits of Sisterhood sent, among others: hundreds of thousands of flashlights to families living where Russia attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure. They organized the "Christmas without Dad" campaign, thanks to which children living near the front lines can feel at least a little bit of the Christmas atmosphere by receiving gifts. They also operate in Warsaw, where their foundation takes care of the largest humanitarian aid center for refugees.
– Over these ten years, volunteering has become a way of life for us. For me, it is a duty and I tried to instill it in my daughter as well - Halina Andruszków explained to Sestry readers.
They inspire us to do good
– As Maria Skłodowska-Curie wrote, life is beautiful as long as a person can give it meaning, and helping others is one of the most beautiful meanings of life. Both Marta, Halina and Wiktoria are able to encourage others to help those in need. It's a great skill. I congratulate the winners, I am glad their great work and commitment have been appreciated, and I wish them to extend the good that, thanks to them, to more people, to as many people as possible - sums up Dominika Kulczyk.
