USAID/Ukraine’s “New Pages of Ukrainian Heroism” campaign tells the stories of women who are making history, working behind the frontlines to support Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction. Follow the campaign @USAIDUkraine on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Tetiana Abramova is an entrepreneur based in Brovary of the Kyiv region. In 1991, the same year that Ukraine gained independence, Tetiana made her own professional leap, launching her knitwear brand, RITO. After starting with just one knitting machine, Tetiana has built RITO into a bustling operation with 85 employees - nearly all of whom are women - working at a factory in Brovary and two retail locations in Kyiv.
“I started with one knitting machine, and together with my team we created the Ukrainian knitwear brand RITO, which is the same age as [independent] Ukraine,” Tetiana recalls. “I didn’t notice how the years flew by … For me, one of the essentials in life is to do what I love. It doesn’t feel like work. I enjoy life, and the journey to [achieving] my dream.”
During Russia’s war against Ukraine, RITO has provided good jobs for Ukrainian workers and, through exports, promoted culturally-distinct Ukrainian products.
“We create a product that gives positive emotions and self-confidence to people and also promotes Ukrainian fashion around the world,” Tetiana explains with pride.
USAID is proud to support RITO. In recent years, we helped the company obtain certifications to export its products and supported Tetiana to showcase her collection at New York Fashion Week in 2021 and 2022 (under the brand 91Lab).
When we asked Tetiana how she would like to be remembered by future generations, she focused on her company’s contributions to Ukraine during wartime:
“When Ukraine survived and defeated Russian fascism, the company kept people employed, helped our army, and promoted the ‘Made in Ukraine’ label worldwide.”
Tetiana also shared her vision for Ukraine’s successful postwar future:
“I want to see Ukraine as a member of the European Union … We’ll build something new instead of [only] repairing the old, build new enterprises using new technologies, establish new principles and rules in society, fight against corruption and ensure the rule of law.”
