Profile of Ukrainian American Maria Figlus
Interview with Maria Figlus. Maria and her family fled to America when Maria was a young girl. Her Dad and uncle were members of “Ukrainian Sich Riflemen” organisation. They were persecuted. The family first lived in the farm in Ohio, where Maria was making shirts. Then they moved to Buffalo, New York, where her dad opened a Greek Catholic church and was a priest for 10 years. Her family helped all refugees from Ukraine. They organized a Saturday Ukrainian school attended by 40 children. Both of Maria's children speak Ukrainian. When Maria moved to Colorado, she and her daughter, Odarka, began making pysankas. Maria was invited to lectures at the University of Colorado to tell about the history of Ukraine and tell about types and history of pysanka . Maria is 94 years old now and she is still educated people about Ukrainian culture.