IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION
November 21, 2025
Contact: Grace Stetson, Director of Communications - 669-309-3219 | grace.stetson@bos.sccgov.org
Iryna Anpilogova, UNWLA Branch 107 President | branch107@unwla.org
County of Santa Clara Displays “Angels of Ukraine” Memorial To Honor Memory of Ukrainian Children Killed In War
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – Earlier this week, the County of Santa Clara in partnership with the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) Branch 107 brought the internationally recognized memorial installation ‘Angels of Ukraine’ for display at the County Government Center in San Jose.
The installation honors Ukrainian children killed in Russian attacks, and invites the community to reflect the human cost of the ongoing war.
“The County stands in strong solidarity with Ukraine and our local Ukrainian American families, as we hope for an end to this barbaric war and lasting peace for Ukraine,” said Board President Otto Lee. “We thank UNWLA Branch 107 for bringing this display to the County, so we can call for peace and justice.”
Visitors are invited to light small electric candles placed beside the display, a quiet gesture of remembrance and solidarity with those affected by the war.
The installation is available for viewing Monday - Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM until the end of November on the First Floor of the County Government Center outside of the Isaac Newton Senter Auditorium, 70 W. Hedding St., San José, CA 95110.
Created by artist Natasha Mitso with Svitlana Peshterianu and other volunteers, each hand-crocheted angel represents one child killed in the conflict since 2022. The exhibit also features a poster listing all the cities the installation has traveled to so far, tracking the number of children killed as that number continues to grow and the memorial travels to new locations. These numbers are a stark reminder of the relentless violence and the innocent lives lost every day.
Thus far, the memorial has traveled to Slovakia, Cyprus, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Malta, and the United Kingdom, uniting communities in remembrance, empathy, and solidarity.
“Our intention in bringing this exhibit to San Jose is to inform the community, to show the real cost of the war, and to reveal the pain Ukrainians are enduring every day,” said Iryna Anpilogova, President of UNWLA Branch 107. “The growing numbers displayed with the Angels are a horrifying testament to the scale of this aggression from the Kremlin. We want everyone who visits to understand the enormity of the loss and to remember these lives that ended too soon.”
In early 2022, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution standing in solidarity with Ukraine to condemn this war, and have remained steadfast in support of the local Ukrainian community. Additionally, the County has a Ukraine Citizen Diplomacy Sister Commission that has hosted several delegations from Ukraine and serves as an extension of our community’s support for Ukraine sovereignty.
ABOUT UNWLA
The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA), established in 1925, promotes educational, cultural, charitable, and humanitarian initiatives supporting Ukrainians worldwide. Branch 107 serves both the Ukrainian and local communities through cultural events, educational initiatives, advocacy, and humanitarian support, as well as through volunteer service and charitable efforts in the local community.
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Supervisor Otto Lee serves District 3 on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors which represents Sunnyvale, Milpitas, and the northern neighborhoods of San José including Alviso and Berryessa. Supervisor Lee also serves as the President of the Board of Supervisors. He is an intellectual property attorney, Retired U.S. Navy Commander, former Sunnyvale Mayor & Councilmember, and father. Supervisor Lee lives in Sunnyvale with his wife and three daughters. He was elected to represent District 3 in November 2020, and re-elected in 2024. Additional information is available online at SupervisorLee.org or contact us anytime at Supervisor.Lee@bos.sccgov.org. (https://go.sparkpostmail.com/f/a/1wPHusp8LAHe2zSqekhPpQ~~/AAS2yhA~/WcAm-NyyLnpbRhKh2-J19f34zKU0o6-aEBJUDyT8wiQkA33HfF5EyZOIIvT3YTEIDqMoE7WwAyCaxeASAKebcpjZ5z7HYWNtkrQH1bkhPl1G2g5hZQ21z4vgC_S9PnZU5oysqor2yQe7ZXxmH13WTw~~)
Sincerely,
Otto Lee
Board President
Santa Clara County Supervisor, District 3
70 West Hedding 10th Floor San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 299-5030
Email Supervisor Lee (mailto:supervisor.lee@bos.sccgov.org)
District 3 Website
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