"I'm asking you for weapons". 10 interesting facts about Olena Zelenska that make the first lady of Ukraine proud

The First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska celebrates her 46th birthday on February 6. She is the right-hand woman of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and has introduced many beneficial changes in the cultural space and society. The First Lady used to try to work in the rear, but the times of the full-scale invasion forced her to represent Ukraine internationally, to demand weapons from her partners, and this is why she was included in the list of the most influential people in the world.

Olena Zelenska has all the resources to influence, she breaks stereotypes and introduces changes for the convenience and healthy life of Ukrainians. Although the First Lady has acquired a nervous system of steel and courage due to the full-scale invasion, her heart is still sensitive to human problems. OBOZ.UA has collected 10 interesting facts about Olena Zelenska that make her deserving of respect.

1. The first lady to address the US Congress.

Olena Zelenska became the first wife of a foreign president in the history of the United States of America to address Congress. On July 20, 2022, she demanded an air defense system to protect the Ukrainian population from Russian shelling. However, the first lady also expressed her gratitude to the American authorities.

"Usually, presidential wives are involved in peaceful causes: education, human rights, equal opportunities, barrier-free access. But how can you talk about them when there is an unprovoked, invasive terrorist war against your country? I am asking you for weapons. Weapons not to carry the war to a foreign land. But to protect your home and the right to wake up alive in it," Olena Zelenska called for help.

2. One of the most influential people in the world in 2023

According to TIME magazine, Olena Zelenska was named one of the 100 most influential people of 2023 due to her endurance and concern for the citizens of her country.

3. Fighting the enemy not from abroad

The First Lady had the opportunity to go abroad for her safety, but she decided to stay in Ukraine to have an impact on citizens: to provide psychological and physical assistance. Even before the full-scale invasion began, Olena Zelenska had been promoting the importance of mental health, but after February 24, 2022, her work became more active.

4. Creating a barrier-free system

Olena Zelenska started this project even before the outbreak of a full-scale war. Its purpose is to create equal conditions for all segments of the population: the elderly, people with mobility disabilities, parents with children, and young people. Small steps are being taken to implement it: people with disabilities are being hired, ramps and infrastructure are being created for easy wheelchair access, education is being made accessible to all, etc.

5. The most influential woman in the world

Olena Zelenska was named one of the top 25 most influential women in the world by the British newspaper Financial Times.

"Like her husband, Zelenska has become a global symbol of resilience. Her leadership in addressing the mental health of Ukrainians during the war is vital. Her work highlighting the suffering and deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia brings back memories of my family's history: the Russians took my mother to Siberia when she was a baby," Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas commented to the newspaper.

6. Spreading the Ukrainian language abroad

Since 2020, Olena Zelenska has been actively working on a project to introduce audio guides in Ukrainian in the world's largest museums. As part of the initiative, more than eight historical monuments were translated into Ukrainian last year, and later this project was launched in seven more countries.

7. One of the 100 most prominent women according to the BBC

The BBC, the world's most respected media outlet, has recognized Olena Zelenska as one of the 100 most influential women in the world for her determination and commitment to fighting for freedom.

8. The First Lady is a mother and a wife

Although the First Lady tries to pay maximum attention to her public work, her family is the most important thing. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, she rarely sees her husband Volodymyr Zelenskyy because of their busy schedules. The children of the presidential family are also in Ukraine, studying in Ukrainian educational institutions, and are not going to go abroad.

9. Reform of school meals

Together with chef Yevhen Klopotenko, Olena Zelenska developed a new school menu to ensure healthy eating for children. Together, they created a list of dishes from which educational institutions could choose the ones they liked best.

10. The standard of beauty

The First Lady wears new incredibly stylish looks that attract attention at almost every event. Elegance and quiet luxury are Zelenska's main "friends" at social events.

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