At a time when local communities play a key role in strengthening democracy, economy, and social resilience, examples of women's leadership become especially important. Maryna Semenenko is a deputy of the Chernihiv City Council and an entrepreneur with a strong social focus, while Aleksandra Dulkiewicz is the mayor of Polish Gdańsk, who promotes inclusive development and democratic values. Both women, each in her city and context, do not just lead — they transform, inspire, and build stronger communities, proving that true change begins with initiative, transparency, and action, reports UNN.
Maryna Semenenko: from humble beginnings to leadership in the city council and the fight for transparency
Born in 1983 in the humble conditions of the village of Ripky, Maryna Semenenko realized the value of every opportunity from an early age. She recalls the unusual atmosphere of her native school, where the principal turned learning into a real creative laboratory: meditations before lessons, exotic fruits in the buffet, and innovative teaching methods. It was there, amidst these creative experiments, that her deep desire to help people and change the world for the better was born.
Having received a history degree from Chernihiv Pedagogical University, Maryna did not stop at a typical journalist career. In 2020, she entered politics, joining the city council from "European Solidarity" and heading the faction. Her first steps had a significant impact: the "Protect the Future" program provided scholarships to dozens of gifted students from low-income families, demonstrating her desire to invest in youth. And the charitable foundation "SemarglS" established a number of educational clubs for children who are often overlooked, giving them a chance for development and new knowledge.
Maryna Semenenko's anti-corruption activities received new impetus in the form of the "Money for the Armed Forces" campaign. Thanks to her initiative, budget expenditures for supporting the defenders of Ukraine increased fifteenfold – from 30 to 462 million hryvnias. A separate achievement was her investigative influence on the work of Chernihiv's transport system. By submitting a statement to the police about a possible criminal offense, Maryna found that one program of the Chernihiv City Council allowed preferential travel for beneficiaries, while another directly prohibited it, and at the same time, budget funds were directed to private carriers for transporting the same category of passengers. After Semenenko's intervention, all beneficiaries – pensioners and people with disabilities – began to travel free of charge on private minibuses around the city. No less important was the announcement of the "Northern Gate" project, the goal of which is to establish direct transport corridors Kharkiv–Sumy–Chernihiv–Chełm.
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz: Mayor of Gdańsk, uniting the community through infrastructure, culture, and solidarity
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz is a Polish politician, lawyer, and the first woman to head the city of Gdańsk. She became mayor in 2019 after the death of Paweł Adamowicz, with whom she worked as his deputy and advisor. Under Dulkiewicz's leadership, Gdańsk became a flagship among Polish cities in terms of ecological modernization. In particular, the Green Gdańsk program was implemented, which includes the development of urban green areas, the restoration of park territories, and the introduction of energy-saving technologies in schools and municipal buildings. The city also became an active participant in the European initiative EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, which envisages achieving climate neutrality by 2030. Dulkiewicz also consistently promotes the policy of "a city for people."
After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation in 2022, Dulkiewicz became one of the most active municipal leaders in Poland who supported Ukrainians. The city of Gdańsk opened a Help Center for refugees from Ukraine, organized temporary housing, medical assistance, and educational programs for Ukrainian children. In partnership with non-governmental organizations, Gdańsk also supports integration programs, including language courses, psychological support, and assistance with employment.
She pays special attention to cultural development. Under her leadership, Gdańsk has become a platform for international art festivals, educational exchanges, and social integration projects. She promotes youth participation in decision-making, supports independent media, and actively opposes hate speech, emphasizing: a strong city begins with respect for diversity.
Synergy of actions: together towards a stronger and more resilient Chernihiv
Although the paths of Maryna Semenenko and Aleksandra Dulkiewicz differ, they are united by a common vision: building resilient and solidary communities based on transparent governance, social responsibility, and civic activism. While Maryna lays out strategic vectors for Chernihiv's economic development, Aleksandra strengthens Gdańsk's social foundations, creating models of a sustainable urban environment that can serve as an example for others.
Their stories are not only examples of women's leadership but also a vivid testament to the fact that the future of cities is built precisely through determination, openness, and constant interaction with people.