Taras Szmagala Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Class of 2022
Since 2010, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame (CIHF) has inducted people who have made significant and lasting contributions to our multicultural society. Cleveland is home to people representing about 120 different ethnic groups. The CIHF exists not only to honor those special people but also to inspire a new generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps.
Over 150 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2020 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.
Taras and Midge Szmagala
Covid-19 forced the always sold out induction ceremonies to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021. Once we were able to gather together again, we included the 2020 class in the induction ceremony for the 2022 class on June 7, 2022. The event at Windows on the River was a sell out.
On the evening of June 7, 2022 Taras Szmagala was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame by Andrew Fedynsky, Director of the Ukrainian Museum-Archives in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood.
Taras took on leadership roles within the national Ukrainian-American community at a young age, serving as President of the Ukrainian Youth League of North America in the 1950’s. He then followed in his father’s footsteps by serving 24 years as a member of the board of the Ukrainian National Association (“UNA”), the largest Ukrainian fraternal benefit society in the United States. More recently, Tary was active with the Ukrainian Museum-Archives in Cleveland, serving on the board, as board chair and as executive director for many years.
Taras has been a leader in the Ukrainian community at the local, national and international level. For example, after Ukraine declared its independence from the U.S.S.R. in 1991, Tary called the former chair of the 1972 Republican Platform Committee - President George H.W. Bush - to ask that he and other Ukrainian community leaders be able to share their views on the importance of Ukrainian independence. Formal U.S. recognition followed shortly after that meeting.
It was fitting that there was a tribute to the people of Ukraine before Taras' induction. Julie Anna Gulenko led the singing of the Ukrainian National Anthem to show support for the people of Ukraine.
Watch the video of Taras Szmagala being inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame by Andrew Fedynsky.
Enjoy these images from the Cleveland International Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Taras Szmagala being inducted into the CIHF
Andy Fedynsky inducts Taras Szmagala into the CIHF
