The LNU Center at the “Ukrainian Women in the World” Assembly: Memory and Courage

In Lviv, the poster project “Women and War: Historical Contexts and Contemporary Challenges” was presented at the Third Anna Kisil International Assembly, “Ukrainian Women in the World: New Challenges — New Leadership”. The exhibition is dedicated to the role of women in the struggle for Ukraine’s independence.

The project was initiated by the Center for Cooperation with Patrons and Alumni at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv as part of its wider work connecting the University, memory, society and Ukrainians around the world. We want these stories to reach beyond a single exhibition, find new audiences and spark conversations about Ukraine and the people who shape and defend it.

As Ukrainian women’s leadership gains an increasingly prominent international voice, it is especially important to speak both about their achievements and strength and about the price many have paid for Ukraine’s freedom.

The exhibition presents portraits of 15 servicewomen, combat medics and volunteers, including citizens of other countries, who lost their lives while carrying out their duties for Ukraine.

These are 15 names, 15 lives, and 15 stories of service, courage and choice cut short by war.

Yaryna Mruts, Tetiana-Anastasiia Matsyievska, Nataliia Luhovska, Tetiana Millard, Uliana-Yuliia Nilsen-Voitovych, Emma Igual, Olha Simonova, Nataliia Smuk, Inna Niavkevych, Nataliia Frausher-Yatsun, Olesia Mykhailenko, Daria Filipieva, Inna Rybalchenko, Anastasiia Kunytska and Talita Flavia Vieira do Valle Freirio.

First presented at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv in February 2026, the exhibition has continued its journey through the Horodok and Slavske communities and to Spain. Its stories now form part of an international assembly bringing together Ukrainian women from around the world.

For the Center, it matters that the University is a place where memory is both preserved and brought into contemporary public dialogue, in Ukraine and beyond.

To speak about women’s leadership today also means remembering those who embodied it through service, saving lives, volunteering and defending Ukraine, and who gave their most precious possession: their lives.

We remember their names. We tell their stories. We pass their memory on.