Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian Alliance Of Connecticut (ELLA)

Residents of the state of Connecticut of Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian descent have a natural interest in the lands of their heritage, collectively known as the Baltic countries. In 1987, the Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian Alliance of Connecticut ( ELLA ) was formed to alert federal and state officials on issues concerning their respective countries. In particular, ELLA was formed to provide the media with accurate information on Baltic causes. Through these efforts, ELLA promotes a better understanding of the historic Baltic peoples as well as their contemporary problems.

From its inception, ELLA made Baltic independence its primary goal. Black Ribbon Day Commemorations and rallies in Hartford sharpened the general public's awareness of the Baltics' struggle. At the same time, the board of directors of ELLA began a serious lobbying effort in behalf of Baltic independence that centered on the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact signed on 23 August 1939. Consequently, in 1991 when the “January Crisis” occurred and Soviet paratroopers cracked down on the independence movement, ELLA was ready to respond to Soviet disinformation, but, more importantly, able to give precise information about the bloody crackdown in Lithuania and Latvia. ELLA telegrammed the President and wrote members of Congress urging an immediate Soviet withdrawal.

For about a decade ELLA was a liaison and a lobbying organization to the thirty thousand Americans of Baltic descent living in Connecticut who maintain strong ties to their homeland. Of equal importance, ELLA has underscored Baltic events to all citizens who are interested in promoting democracy throughout the world.

ILVI JOE-CANNON

Ilvi Joe-Cannon, formerly of of Bolton, Connecticut, and in Tallinin, Estonia, as of 1997, donated the ELLA papers to the Dodd Research Center Archives & Special Collections in 1997. She was born in Viljandi, Estonia, but in 1944 fled to the West with her mother, brother, and two sisters, to avoid being deported to Siberia . In 1950 after having stayed in displaced persons camps in Germany, the family immigrated to the United States . In 1961, Ilvi Joe-Cannon received her B.A. from the University of Connecticut and in 1966 she received her M.A. from Indiana University .

Joe-Cannon, one of the founders of ELLA, later became chair of the organization. Continuing with work on Baltic causes, in 1994 she became the chair of the Baltic, Central, and East European Coalition (BCEEC), which is comprised of ELLA ; the Polish-American Congress, the District of CT, Inc., the Hungarian Club, and the Ukrainian Congress Committee .