Ukrainian woman nominated for deputy in the New York Legislature: what is known about her

It is curious that immigrants from Ukraine also help to solve New York problems. Architect Anzhela Kravchenko has done everything possible to reduce the roar from trains in her native Coney Island, reports "Voice of America".

Now she nominated for the New York Legislature (District Leader). But the war made adjustments to her political career.

“I was born and raised in Ukraine. In New York, I've been doing architecture almost all the time that I've lived here. And I came here about 30 years ago. Coney Island is my home,” says Angela.

Her sons grew up here. One of them was born in Kharkov, the second is already in New York. She herself comes from Nikolaev, but studied in Kharkov. This is the same city that is now being bombed. Angela met her future husband there. His name is Angel and he is from the Dominican Republic.

Angela is actively involved in various social projects

“Our houses are so standing that the train passes above the ground. And he makes such a noise that this sound hits our high-rise buildings. On some terraces it sounds louder than on the platforms. I began to think about what can be done to reduce this problem,” she said.

Angela began to write letters to everyone: both to the MTA and to the congressman. A member of the State Assembly responded and promised to come and get acquainted with the problem. Angela had a noise meter. Together with the congresswoman, they walked through the apartments and down the street. The politician admitted that this is indeed a problem. A couple of years later, she wrote that she would solve their problem. And at the end of last year, a law came out that the MTA is required to provide an annual report on noise reduction activities.

Now in the Brighton area, the rails are being changed on the line. It is thanks to this law that short rails are changed to longer ones. The longer the rails, the less hassle, the less noise.

“It inspired me. It turned out that something can be changed. When we started, everyone said it was useless. But thanks to our group Stop the noise, a new law came out,” says Angela.

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With the outbreak of the war, Angela began to hold actions in support of Ukraine.

“On the beach, we laid out 300 yellow and blue canvases. Three hundred because 300 people died in the theater in Mariupol. Although now there are more. We wanted to show what three hundred people look like. How much is that. It was a huge field, we brought paints and asked those who come to write what they feel about the war. Or whatever they want to say. Many wrote the name of their cities, villages. But one girl wrote the word “Daddy,” says Angela. She told the girl's story. Her mother died in Ukraine, and her father was left there alone with her sister Leah. It is necessary to help Leah come to Brooklyn to reunite with her sister.

Angela lives in New York, but the war also touched her. In the first days of the war in Ukraine, her institute and hostel in Kharkov were bombed. “This is the place where we met. This is the park where we walked with the child, this is our life. Therefore, it is especially difficult for me to look at Kharkov, these ruins,” the woman says.

Now Angela's aunt and uncle are in Nikolaev. The woman is very worried about them and admits that it is very scary. You never know what will happen tomorrow.