from_our_archives

PWA officers and members visited Dr. Maria Wieczorek to wish her all the best and to bring her a cake on the occasion of her birthday on August 16th. Dr. Wieczorek had served as the Medical Examiner of PWA for many years. In the photo, from left, Maryla Folmer, Florence Hokenson, Antoinette Trela Vander Noot, Virginia Sikora, and Bo Padowski. Sto Lat, Dr. Wieczorek! Many happy retruns!

ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AND YOUTH FUNDRAISER

On Sunday, September 27, 2009, the Annual Scholarship and Youth Fundraiser of the PWA Educational and Charitable Foundation was held at the Rosewood Banquet Hall in Rosemont, Illinois. It was an elegant affair, with PWA officers and members as well as many guests and representatives of Polish American organizations in attendance. The goal of educating the next generation of young Polish Americans is a cause that deserves widespread support. Our youth is our future and encouraging them to achieve their academic goals has long been a cause supported by the PWA and its members.

The guests of honor included Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago who gave the invocation; Father Thaddeus Dzieszko, the Pastor of St. Constance Church who said benediction; Past President of District III Evelyn Lisek who led the singing of the national anthems; and Judge Aurelia Pucinski, Cook County Circuit Court County Division and PWA member, who was the keynote speaker. Her remarks are provided below.

National President Virginia Sikora served as Mistress of Ceremonies and welcomed the guests. Secretary-Treasurer Antoinette Trela was the Chairperson of the event. Vice President Sharon Zago, National Director Dawn Muszynski Nelson and District I President Lidia Filus also attended. Entertainment was provided by students of the Paderewski Symphony Orchestra Music Academy. Music was by the Carl Linden String Ensemble. A raffle was conducted by Secretary-Treasurer Antoinette Trela Vander Noot and National Director Dawn Muszynski Nelson. All proceeds from the banquet will support PWA scholarships and youth activities.

Kudos to Chairperson Antoinette Trela Vander Noot for organizing such a beautiful and successful event. Sincere thanks to everyone who attended as well as to the patrons and well-wishers who submitted donations to the program book.

Officers and Guests at Fundraiser, from left, Vice President Sharon Zago; Robert Maycan, Treasurer of the PACCF; National President Virginia Sikora; Father Thaddeus Dzieszko, Pastor of St. Constance Parish; National Director Dawn Nelson Muszynski; and Secretary-Treasurer and Chairperson of the Fundraiser Antoinette Trela Vander Noot.

From left, National President Virginia Sikora, District I President Lidia Filus, and Council 27 President Czeslawa Kolak.

PWA members and guests during the cocktail reception.

PWA officers and representatives of Polish American organizations at the banquet.

Students of the Paderewski Symphony Orchestra Music Academy performed on their violins. It was an inspiring and heartwarming performance.

Photos by Lidia Rozmus

REMARKS
Judge Aurelia Pucinski

If we were able to check the DNA of Stefania Chiemlenska, the founder of the Polish Women's Alliance, we would surely find the strong cultural link to Krolowa Jadwiga, Queen of Poland, now St. Jadwiga, often referred to as King Jadwiga, since she was the monarch of Poland from 1383 to 1399 in her own right, not as a consort.

As Europe's only female King, Jadwiga enlarged Christian Europe and sponsored the refounding of Europe's oldest European university, the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. King Jadwiga was known for her kindness and piety, and for her commitment to charity work--founding and supporting hospitals. Equally important, as King of her country, she defended and promoted the dignity of her people with fierce determination.

The women of the Polish Women's Alliance have proudly and confidently carried on the traditions of our famous female King. Founded 111 years ago, the PWA has a tradition of protecting and defending the dignity of women especially, through economic security and stability, The PWA as a fraternal insurance organization provides a safety net to its members. But the PWA is much, much, more:
it has supported the traditions and culture of our Polish heritage in America. It has provided help to Poland, starting with help to the Blue Army in World War I, in its fight for Poland's freedom. The PWA supported the efforts of Poland in World War II, and raised enough money to fund a B-25 Bomber in the United States. The PWA has contributed significantly to children's hospitals in Poland. It supported the work of Madame Curie in her radium research. The women of the PWA helped to refurbish Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The PWA established a Center for Polish Studies in Chicago. It supported the work of the Polish Church to fight communism in Poland and leave it to women to figure out how to get Polonia working together: the PWA established the first Polish American Congress!!!

From King Jadwiga, through Stefania Chiemlinska, to Maria Konopnicka a freedom writer and poet,
to Irena Sender who rescued 2500 Jewish children from the Holocaust, to our own generation of Polish Women's Alliance leadership, Polish women have always provided the heart and soul of the action that is necessary to make things better for women, for children, for the nation of our heritage, and for America.Polish women, and the Polish Women's Alliance, are living proof of the Polish proverb: The ideals of her women are the strength of a nation.

PRESIDENT VIRGINIA SIKORA HONORED BY PAC WITH HERITAGE AWARD

PWA National President Virginia Sikora received the Heritage Award at the 13th Annual Polish American Congress - Indiana Division Heritage Awards Banquet held on Sunday, October 25, 2009, in Merrillville, Indiana. Steve H. Tokarski, President of PAC Indiana Division, presented the Heritage Award to President Sikora, in recognition of her service toward the enhancement of Polish American fraternalism. Evelyn Lisek, Vice-President of PAC Indiana Division and past President of PWA District III, presented flowers to the Honoree. Congratulations, Mrs. Sikora, on this prestigious award!

PAC Indiana Division President Steve Tokarski presents the Heritage Award to PWA National President Virginia Sikora.

PAC Indiana Division Vice President Evelyn Lisek and PWA National President Virginia Sikora at PAC Heritage Awards Banquet in Merrillville.

The Heritage Award presented to PWA National President Virginia Sikora at the 13th Annual Awards Banquet of the PAC Indiana Division, held on October 25, 2009, in Merrillville, Indiana.

STATE SEMINAR IN DISTRICT VII

Cleveland, OH - PWA National President Virginia Sikora and Sales Director Bo Padowski were the guests of honor at the District VII State Seminar held in Cleveland, Ohio, in October. State President Irene Honc-Jadlos and PWA members from District VII organized the event, which included luncheon, business sessions, and entertainment. The event was well attended and District VII members had a chance to learn more about PWA's latest plans and products and to ask questions of the Home Office guests during the sessions. Photos from the State Seminar follow.

ARTICLE BY 2007-2008 JAGIELLONIAN WINNER

A Journey Home
By Addam Wawrzonek

Home to me is Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, where I was born and raised. But the broader definition of home takes me further away across oceans. All of my ancestors trace back to Poland and my father was born there. That ancestral bond to the country calls to me and my desire to go there has been a yearning to go to the land that my family before me has always called home.

I have been afforded this opportunity twice in my young life and both times it has been through the generosity of the Polish Women's Alliance. The first time was a subsidized trip with the youth group and at fourteen my parents had to force me to go. But once there, my views of Poland and of my heritage found a deeper meaning. And then of course, the second trip was through the Jagiellonian scholarship.

My summer at Jagiellonian University in Krakow was extraordinary. On the one hand, to tell you all about it in a few words would underestimate the power of the experience. I could go on in detail about the people I met, the history and culture I learned, the museums I visited. But those events are not unique in and of themselves. They have been experienced by everyone who has visited the country as a tourist or a student.

On the other hand, there is something to be said about simply being surrounded by others who share your interest in their past and to experience the history of your ancestors firsthand. To hear the stories about the devastation of Poles in World War II and to know that my grandparents lived through it brought on unbearable emotions. To know it was they who had their farm and livestock burned to the ground, who witnessed neighbors being shot in front of their eyes to teach their village a lesson, who escaped from the jail where they themselves were waiting to board the train for a concentration camp, who lost family members as a direct result of the war…to hear all this and be standing there on the same soil, left me deeply saddened. At times I was overwhelmed.

My experience was a very personal one. I left knowing that I wanted to learn more about my history and hopefully be able to return someday to finish my Polish language studies. And I did meet friends from other states and other countries with whom I stay in touch; friends who share my love, my pain, and my heritage.

I am deeply grateful to the Polish Women's Alliance for the opportunities they have given me. I hope that every youth member is able to appreciate the benefits that this organization so graciously offers. They too share my love for a country that is oceans away.

POLISH AMERICAN DAY AT SIX FLAGS - GREAT AMERICA

Gurnee, IL-The Four Farternals organized Polish American Day at Six Flags - Great America on Saturday, June 6, 2009. This has become an annual event.

Alexandra Podowski, member of PWA Group 821, dressed in a Lublin costume, sang the Polish national anthem for the first time ever in the park in front of the carousel. Various fraternal Polish dance groups performed throughout the morning and early afternoon in honor of their heritage.

We would like to thank everyone who participated in this event and ask that you mark the first Saturday in June next year for the next group discountPolish American Day at Great America.

Contact Vice President Sharon Zago for more information on Polish American Days and discount group tickets at 847-384-1208.

Polish American Days Committee: Vice Presidents: Sharon Zago, Polish Women's Alliance of America, Paul Odrobina, Polish National Alliance, Anna Sokolowski, Polish Roman Catholic Union, and 2nd Vice President Bob Gorny, Polish Falcons

Vice President Sharon Zago and Group 821 member Alexandra Podowski in a Lublin costume at Polish American Day at Six Flags - Great America.

Show dance groups representing the Polish fraternals performed during Polish American Day.

20th ANNIVERSARY OF POLISH DEMOCRACY
1989 - 2009

PWA Honorary Member and US Senator from Maryland, Barbara Mikulski, sponsored a US Senate Resolution to commemorate the end of communist rule in Poland. On June 4, 1989, the Solidarity party won a large majority in the first open elections in Poland since World War II. This victory marked the end of pro-Soviet rule in Poland and inspired a succession of peaceful transitions from communism to democracy in other former Soviet Bloc nations, leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall later that year. The Resolution in the Senate passed with wide bipartisan support. Senator Mikulski's comments follow:

"In the aftermath of the Second World War, the people of Poland found themselves under the oppression of a harsh communist government put in place by their Soviet occupiers." Senator Mikulski said. "They did not choose communism -- it was forced upon them. After over 40 years of struggle, in early 1989 the historic Round Table discussions were held between the communist government of Poland and representatives of the democratic opposition on a peaceful transfer of power. As a result, on June 4, 1989 the first democratic parliamentary elections in Poland were held. This date is symbolically celebrated as the fall of communism in Poland. It was on this date, many Poles say that 'Freedom was born in Poland.'

"This anniversary has special resonance for me. For 40 years, I watched the people of Poland live under brutal, communist rule. Growing up as a Polish American in East Baltimore, I learned about the burning of Warsaw at the end of the Second World War. The Germans burned Warsaw to the ground -- killing a quarter of a million people -- as Soviet troops watched from the other side of the Vistula river. I learned about the Katyn massacre - where Russia murdered more than four thousand Polish military officers and intellectuals in the Katyn Forest at the start of the Second World War.

"This anniversary is a great occasion for the Polish people, for the government of Poland, and the history of the relationship between the United States and Poland. It is fitting that the Senate commemorate this anniversary, that we express our admiration for the resolve that the Polish people demonstrated in the face of political oppression under communist rule, that we congratulate the people of Poland for their accomplishments in the years since the end of communist rule, and that we express our appreciation for the close friendship of between the United States and Poland."

POLISH AMERICAN NIGHT AT WHITE SOX PARK

You can watch a YouTube video clip of the first pitch of the game here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boP1fA702KU

Chicago, IL--The four Polish Fraternals -- PWA, PNA, PRCUA, and PFA -- celebrated the Fourth Annual Polish American Night at Cellular Park at a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers, with approximately eight hundred tickets sold by the fraternals for this game. Chairman of this event was Vice President of PNA, Paul Odrobina.

Prior to the game, "Wesoly Lud" dance group from PRCUA performed outside the gates of Cellular Field and then on the field before the game began. Paul Odrobina threw out the first pitch to White Sox Pitcher John Danks -- a perfect strike ball!

The four Polish fraternals would like to thank the White Sox for their cooperation in continuing our Polish American Night celebrating our heritage.

We hope everyone will join us again for a great evening next year.

Four Vice Presidents Committee: Sharon Zago, Polish Women's Alliance of America; Anna Sokolowski, Polish Roman Catholic Union of America; Paul Odrobina, Polish National Alliance of America; and Robert J. Gorny, Polish Falcons of America

Photo shows White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzyznski (center) with PWA Vice President Sharon Zago (at left) and guests. Photo by Robert M. Jadach, PNA Public Relations.

ADULT BOWLING TOURNAMENT
THE FOUR FRATERNALS SQUARE OFF!

Chicago, IL--On Friday, June 5th, 2009, representatives from the four Polish Fraternals met for the second bowling competition at the Edison Park Inn. This event was chaired by Vice President Sharon Zago and the Four Vice Presidents Committee.

PWA's team included: Sharon Zago, Vice President, Antoinette Trela Vander Noot, Secretary-Treasurer, Dawn Nelson, National Director, and Adeline Holda, Group 661 Secretary-Treasurer.PNA's team: Paul Odrobina, Vice President, Secretary Charles Komosa, Treasurer Marian Grabowski and National Director Ana Wierzbicki.PRCUA's team: Julie Prado, Judy Roszak, Madia Robles, and National Director Ralph Stempinski.Polish Falcons' team: Tim Kuzma, President (Pittsburgh), Patricia DelBusse (Pittsburgh), Robert Gorny, Vice President (Indiana), and Paul Sadowski, District 2 President.

We played three games and PWA was second in the first game but we lost our lead and fell into last place in games two and three. President Frank Spula from PNA dropped by for awhile to wish everyone good luck. PWA hopes to do better the next time we meet! It was all in good fun and helps maintain good relations between the fraternals for the common good of our heritage and our fraternal community. A joint adult bowling tournament is being planned for May or June of 2010. Call Vice President Sharon Zago for further info at 1-888-522-1898, ext 208.

Photos show the PWA Team (from left Vice President Sharon Zago, National Director Dawn Muszynski, Group 661 Secretary-Treasurer Adeline Holda, and PWA Secretary-Treasurer Antoinette Trela Vander Noot). Also shown is a group photo with all the participants at the tournament.

PWA DAY CELEBRATED IN DOYLESTOWN SHRINE

The annual "PWA Day" was held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA, on Sunday, August 23, 2009. Keeping up the tradition were PWA representatives from Ilinois, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Representing the Home Office, President Virginia Sikora, read the first reading. Also in attendance were Vice President Sharon Zago, coordinator of the annual pilgrimage, and Secretary-Treasurer of Group 661 Adeline Holda.

In Polish costumes were Sophie Marshall, District IX President from Connecticut, Group 280 President Jadwiga Czerwinski from Connecticut, and Group 598 Treasurer and former District X President Marion Listwan from New Jersey. She did the second reading during mass. Group 598 President Genevieve De Metro and Group 598 Vice President Judith Listwan from New Jersey. District X Connecticut brought the largest delegation this year.

From District XII Maryland were District President Therese Violanti along with President of Group 702 Catherine Gietka, Recording Secretary of Group 702, Bernadette Gietka, and Gerald Gietka of Group 702.

Officers from District XIV - Council 40 were Felicia Perlick, PWA National Director and former President of District XIV, along with Council 40 President Bernadine Regis and Council 40 Treasurer Bernadine Borinski.

PWA members carried the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa during the procession and presented the gifts during mass. President Virginia Sikora presented the annual PWA donation of $1,000 to the new Prior, Father Tadeusz Lizinczyk. The new Provincial year Father Joseph Olczak.

Seventeen Pauline Fathers concelebrated Mass during PWA Day at the Shrine.

Bernadine Regis, Council 40 President, and Theresa Violanti, District XII President, present gifts during mass.

Judy Listwan, Vice President of Group 598, and Sophie Marshall, District IX President, in Polish costumes, followed by Bernadine Regis, Council 40 President, present gifts during mass.

President Virginia Sikora presents donation to Father Lizinczyk. Adeline Holda (Group 661 Secretary-Treasurer) at left, National Director Felicia Perlick, center, Sophie Marshall (Distirct IX President) at right.

SUMMER BALL FUNDRAISER
Polish Museum of America

Chicago, IL-The Polish Museum of America held its annual Summer Ball Fundraiser on Friday, June 26, 2009 at Cafe La Cave in Des Plaines, Illinois. Polish Women's Alliance of America was represented by Vice President Sharon Zago, who presented the annual donation to Maria Ciesla, President of PMA (also PWA member of Group 819), and Wallace Ozog, Chairman of PMA with the PMA director Jan Lorys looking on. A beautiful long stem rose was presented to major donors presenting that evening. In her remarks, Ms. Zago stated that the PWA has always been happy to cooperate with the PMA on exhibits and other matters. She also encouraged everyone to attend the current exhibit "Forgotten Beauty Polish Folk Costumes Exhibition" from June 27 to August 15, 2009 that displays the lithograph collection of Zofia Stryenska on loan from the PWA Charitable and Educational Foundation.

THE POLISH MUSEUM OF AMERICA

This is a special exhibit that will introduce you to the world of vibrant and distinctive Polish traditional folk costumes. The exhibit presents regional costumes from all across Poland in addition to work by the multifaceted Polish artist Zofia Stryjenska, who was dubbed the Princess of Polish Painting. Many of the Stryjenska lithographs in the exhibit are on loan from Polish Women's Alliance of America. Curated by Paulina Jakubiec.

The exhibition will be on display from June 27 - August 15, 2009 at the Polish Museum of America, 984 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL, 60642-4101. Telephone: (773) 384-3352. Open Monday - Wednesday and Friday - Sunday from 11am to 4pm.

110TH ANNIVERSARY MAXIMIZER PROGRAM

We are very happy to be able to announce to our membership the 110th Anniversary Maximizer Program. Beginning in August, we will be mailing out this special offer to increase your current coverage by selecting one of two single-payment options. Best of all, there is no medical required and your certificate number will remain the same.This offer is being targeted to current members between the ages of 1 and 55 who have a paid-up insurance certificate(s). If you have more than one paid-up certificate, you will be eligible to increase your coverage under each policy. The mailing dates of this special program allow sufficient time for you to review the options being offered and to respond by sending the signed acceptance document and payment back
to our office prior to the deadline date.
For example, the August mailing was sent out to those members who were issued their
certificates in the month of October and are between the ages of 1 and 75. It was later decided that beginning with the September mailing, only the target group of ages 1 to 55 will be receiving the offer in the mail because it is most beneficial to this age group. However, if you are a current member with a paid-up certificate(s) and are between the ages of 56 and 75, you will still qualify to participate in this
offer. Please call our office for a verbal quote.The Maximizer Program will run from August 2008 thru July 2009 and we are extremely pleased to be in a position to offer you this opportunity to increase your insurance in the easiest way possible.If you should have any questions regarding the 110th Anniversary Maximizer Program after receiving your customized offer in the mail, or if you would like a verbal quote, please do not hesitate to contact the office of the Secretary/Treasurer office for assistance. The toll free number is 888-522-1898.

PWA President and Secretary-Treasurer Take Part in 90th Anniversary Observances of Polish Independence in Warsaw

The official observances of the 90th Anniversary of the Independence of Poland were held in Warsaw on November 11, 2009. A wreath-laying ceremony with full military honors took place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The President of Poland and dignitaries from around the world tool part in the observances.

WARSAW-Poland celebrated the 90th anniversary of its emergence from 123 years of foreign domination on November 11, 2008. All across Europe commemorations were held, marking the end of World War I on this day 90 years ago. For Poland, however, the day symbolized more than the end of a bloody war. It symbolized the end of 123 years of partition by Russia, Prussia, and Austria. Poland's independence, as we know, was short-lived. The Nazis and Soviets dominated the nation for many more years-from 1939 to 1989-but now at long last the nation is free!

"Today is a day of joy," President Lech Kaczynski declared in military ceremony which was held on the large square in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw. He spoke after a military band played the national anthem and cannons boomed at a gathering that included German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the presidents ofAfghanistan, Ukraine, and Georgia, as well as thousands of Poles waving Polish flags, and representatives of Polonia from around the world.

The official observances of the 90th Anniversary of the Independence of Poland were held in Warsaw on November 11, 2008. A wreath-laying ceremony with full military honors took place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The President of Poland and dignitaries from around the world tool part in the observances.

PWA President Virigina Sikora and Secretary-TreasurerAntoinette Trela Vander Noot represented PWA at the Mass which opened the day's activities; at the military ceremony and wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier; as well as at the concert held in Teatr Wielki in the evening and at the gala reception that followed.
The next day, President Sikora and Secretary-Treasurer Trela Vander Noot visited Wspolnota Polska, where representatives of Polonia from around the world met with the new Wspolnota President Maciej Plazynski and where President Sikora addressed the assembled guests.

They also visited the Institute for Blind Children in Laski outside of Warsaw, which PWA members have generously supported over the years. It was the 104th birthday of Director Zofia Murawska who is herself blind but still a vigorous and strong leader, clearly dedicated to the children of Laski.

President Sikora and Secretary-Treasurer Trela Vander Noot also visited the Institute for Blind Children at Laski. It was a very special occasion as Director Zofia Murawska celebrated her 104th birthday on the day of their visit.

President Virginia Sikora Visits Poland
as Head of PAC Charitable Foundation

PWA President Virginia Sikora is currently serving a term as President of the Polish American Congress Charitable Foundation. In that capacity, she recently traveled to Poland, together with Legal Counsel and Vice President for Financial Affairs Chris Nowotarski, to visit institutions and charities that will be beneficiaries of the Foundation in the coming year. During their five-day stay in Warsaw, President Sikora and Mr. Nowotarski visited the Institutes for the Deaf and for the Blind in Warsaw, a school for underprivileged children in Ksiazki, a small town north of Warsaw, as well as the Institute for Blind Children in Laski. They also visited with Jozef Cardinal Glemp, Primate of Poland, and with Mr. Andrzej Stelmachowski, founder and outgoing president of Wspolnota Polska. Mrs. Sikora had also planned a visit with Irena Sendler, humanitarian, World War II hero, Nobel Peace Price nominee, and Honorary Member of PWA, but Mrs. Sendler was too ill to receive visitors that day. She died on May 12th, a few days later. The PWA also has a long history of bringing aid to the children of Poland. The Dziecko Polskie Fund (Polish Children's Fund) has received donations from thousands of PWA members over the years and money from this fund has gone to support orphanages run by Polish sisters, to purchase vans for crippled children and equipment for a school bearing Maria Konopnicka's name, and to assist blind children in Laski. All PWA presidents, starting with Adela Lagodzinska, have visited Laski and supported this amazing institution, which was founded by a Franciscan sister in 1921. For over 90 years, Laski has provided a loving, supportive community for the blind of all ages, from kindergarten to high school and beyond, teaching them basic skills, foreign languages, crafts, and trades. The director of Laski is Pani Zofia Murawska, who although partially blind herself, is still going strong at age 103. Pani Marta Zielinska, one of the staff members at Laski, and some of the children welcomed the guests from the United States warmly. They presented Mrs. Sikora with a bouquet of flowers and the children sang and recited poems.The Polish American Congress Charitable Foundation has already donated computers to the school in Ksiazki, and other donations will be considered after Mrs. Sikora and Mr. Nowotarski present their report to the Board. But Polish Women's Alliance also promised to help - - in their own name: the Polish Women's Alliance Charitable and Educational Foundation will donate a system of lights used to teach blind children to Laski. President. Sikora saw the lights in use in one of the classrooms during her visit and when Pani Murawska told her they needed another set for the children, she was happy to say that Polish Women's Alliance would donate it! The lights have already been ordered and are sitting in boxes in the Home Office, packaged and ready to be sent overseas. Dear Members: Contributions to the Dziecko Polskie Fund are always welcome. Please make your checks payable to the PWA Charitable and Educational Foundation and write "Dziecko Polskie" in the memo line. Please mail your checks to the PWA address at 6643 N. Northwest Hwy. 2nd Fl. Chicago, IL, 60631.

Visit with Jozef Cardinal Glemp, Primate of Poland

Visit with Mr. Stelmachowski, Wspolnota Polska

Visit with the children of Laski

In Memory of Irena Sendler
1910-2008

Irena Sendler passed away on May 12th, 2008, in Warsaw, Poland. She was 98 years old. Irena Sendler was a true heroine who, as a young woman during World War II, saved 2,500 children from deportation and certain death by smuggling them out of the Jewish Ghetto. She was a social worker for a Catholic charity in Warsaw and was able to go in and out of the Ghetto as part of her job. She organized a clandestine organization that helped find homes for the children. Her life is a testament to the power that one individual has to make a huge difference in the world and to triumph in the face of evil. Her courage and selflessness, as well as her love and respect for others, earned her accolades and awards throughout her life, but she remained humble, always saying that she felt that she should have done more. Irena Sendler was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, the same year that she was officially recognized as a national hero by the Polish parliament and the same year that she was named Honorary Member of Polish Women's Alliance of America. The resolution bestowing Honorary Membership on Sendler passed unanimously at the 35th National Convention in Cleveland. PWA President Virginia Sikora had planned to visit Mrs. Sendler during a recent trip to Poland, but she was too ill to receive visitors and died a few days later. PWA officers and members join the world in honoring the life and legacy of Irena Sendler - - hero, patriot, and humanitarian. We offer condolences to her family and friends in Poland and around the world. May she rest in peace. For additional information, visit the memorial page at www.irenasendler.org

KANSAS MEETS POLAND:
THE IRENA SENDLER PROJECT
PWA Co-Hosts Reception for Founders of Irena Sendler Project

Chicago, IL - As part of the Polish American Month Program at the Chicago Public Library, the PAM Committee chaired by Maria Zakrzewska invited the founding members of the Irena Sendler Project to come to Chicago to speak about their work at the main downtown branch of the library on Thursday, October 30, 2009. They also showed a video presentation of the play about Irena Sendler called "Life in a Jar." Prior to the event at the library, a reception was held for the visitors at the Polish Consulate in Chicago. Polish Women's Alliance of America was one of the hosts of the reception. The guests of honor were Megan Stewart-Felt and Norm Conard from Kansas and Kinga Szymanska from Warsaw, Irena Sendler's translator during the last two years of her life. The story behind the Irena Sender Project is truly remarkable: in 1999, four high school students (three freshmen and a junior) from rural Kansas, working on an extracurricular National History Day project, came across the story of an unknown heroine in a far away land who had saved 2,500 children during World War II. Nine years later the project continues…and it has taken the Kansas students to places they never expected. The girls knew from the start that they wanted a project that would teach them more about the Holocaust and they knew that they wanted their project to be in the form of a play. Their teacher, Mr. Conard, gave them a box of old newspaper clippings to look through, and there they found a short article on Irena Sendler. They were amazed to read that she had saved 2,500 children from the Warsaw Ghetto, and they decided to learn more. They were even more amazed when they found out that Irena Sendler was still alive! They initiated a correspondence with her and before long had her input and support for the project. Not only did their play of Irena's life, "Life in a Jar" win national recognition, it has since been performed over 250 times all over the world, and the media attention generated by this story made Irena Sendler an internationally acclaimed heroine when she was well into her 80s, earning her a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. And it took the girls to Poland to meet Mrs. Sendler and to establish a real friendship with her. It also led to the founding of a special educational foundation in Kansas that is devoted to helping schools teach the Holocaust and to finding and documenting the lives of other unsung heroes all over the world. The four students from Uniontown High School in Uniontown, Kansas, are now all married and all have graduated from college. Megan Stewart-Felt is working at the Lowell Milken Center in Fort Scott, Kansas. The LMC is an educational foundation developing exciting history projects around the world, using unsung heroes to teach respect of all people. Sabrina Coon-Murphy is teaching kindergarten at an elementary school in Fort Scott, and saw the birth of her first child in April of 2008. Elizabeth Cambers-Hutton is living in the Lebanon, Missouri area and has graduated from college and is married. Jessica Shelton-Ripper has graduated from Pittsburgh State University and is planning on graduate work in education, her daughter was born in August of 2007. All four are still involved with the project. As Mr. Conard, the girls' history teacher, likes to say, this is a story about four Protestant girls who discovered and brought to the world's attention the untold story a Polish Catholic woman who had saved the lives of Jewish children. To learn more about their history project:
http://www.lowellmilkencenter.org/projects.taf?page=project01 The students' web site is here:
http://www.irenasendler.org Note: Irena Sendler was named an Honorary Member of Polish Women's Alliance of America in 2007. She died in Warsaw on May 12, 2008.
Photo caption: The photo at the top of the article shows a scene from the play about Irena Sendler's life entitled "Life in a Jar." Megan Stewart-Felt at right plays the role of Irena Sendler. The words "Tikkum Olam" in the photo mean "Repair the World" in Jewish.

POLISH WOMEN'S ALLIANCE OF AMERICA
CELEBRATES 110th ANNIVERSARY

OVER 200 MEMBERS AND GUESTS ATTEND GALA EVENING

Over 200 members, officers, and friends of Polish Women's Alliance of America gathered on Sunday, June 22, 2008, at the Café La Cave in Des Plaines, Illinois, for a gala celebration of the 110th anniversary of the organization. Guests of Honor included The Right Reverend Thomas Paprocki, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, and The Honorable.Zygmunt Matynia, Consul General of the Republic of Poland. The guest speaker was Mr. Frank Spula, President of the Polish American Congress and of the Polish National AlliancePolish Women's Alliance was established in Chicago in 1898 as a fraternal benefit society for Polish women and their families. Its mission was to support immigrant women by helping them to achieve financial security as well as by offering them a place to meet, socialize, and organize. PWA members founded programs that helped preserve Polish culture and language for their children; they also joined the fight for women's right to vote, to pursue higher education, and to enter the professions; and they supported the cause of Poland's independence during both World Wars and during the many years of communist rule, maintaining contacts with Polish women and activists and supporting charitable and religious institutions in Poland.One hundred and ten years later, the Polish Women's Alliance is still going strong with 50,000 members across the nation, including men and boys. Its mission remains unchanged from what the founders envisioned. The organization continues to promote Polish culture and language; it offers financial services to its members and supports its youth through scholarships and other activities; it fosters leadership and good citizenship by supporting the communities in which it is active; and it continues to maintain close contacts with people and charitable institutions in PolandIn her remarks, National President Virginia Sikora stressed what an extraordinary achievement an organization founded for women by women was in 1898 - - all the more remarkable since it was started by women who were immigrants, new to this country, often poor and unskilled, seeking better lives for themselves and their families. Today's members include fifth and sixth-generation descendants of those founders, as well as newly-arrived immigrants from Poland. Today, many of our members are college-educated, they represent all walks of life from politics to medicine to education to business. But their dedication to family, faith, and their Polish heritage is very much like it was for PWA members a hundred and ten years ago.

President of Polish National Alliance Frank Spula was the guest speaker and he also addressed the extraordinary achievements of Polish women in the last century, as they fought - - and won - - the battles for greater freedoms for themselves, more opportunities for their families, and independence for the nation of their ancestors.

The Chairperson of the Anniversary Gala was National Secretary-Treasurer Antoinette Trela Vander Noot. The Mistress of Ceremonies was former National Director of PWA from the state of Massachusetts Jennie Starzyk Benton. The invocation was offered by Bishop Thomas Paprocki. The siniging of the national Anthems was led by Former District III State President Evelyn Lisek. The toast was offered by Honorary President Helen V. Wojcik. Awards to "Fraternalists of Distinction," chosen by members from PWA Districts, were presented by National Vice President Sharon Zago. The closing prayer was said by Monsignor Walter Ziemba. A raffle was also held. Proceeds from the event will be donated to PWA's general scholarship fund as well as to the PWA National Scholarship Endowment Fund. Music was provided by the Carl Linden Orchestra.

The following "Fraternalists of Distinction" were honored at the Banquet. Sincere congratulations all of these members for their many years of service to Polish Women's Alliance of America.

District I Regina Solms
District II Sophie Emery
District III Josephine Kras
District VI Diane Reeve
District VII Irene Honc-Jadlos
District VIII Jennie Starzyk Benton
District IX Jadwiga Czerwinska
District X Marion Listwan
District XI Mary Kurtz
District XII Therese Violanti
District XIV Bertha Kuckla

Chairperson of the Anniversary Banquet was Secretary Treasurer Antoinette Trela Vander Noot, pictured here with the Mistress of Ceremonies Jennie Starzyk Benton from Massachusetts and National President Virginia Sikora.

National President of PWA Virginia Sikora with Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago Thomas Paprocki at the 110th Anniversary Banquet.

National President of PWA Virginia Sikora (second from right) with special guests at the 110th Anniversary Banquet of PWA, from left, President of PNA Frank Spula, Monsignor Walter Ziemba of Orchard Lake, and Consul General of the Republic of Poland Zygmunt Matynia and his wife Bozenna.

PWA Executive Officers at the 110th Anniversary Banquet, seated, from left: Secretary-Treasurer Antoinette Trela Vander Noot, National President Virginia Sikora, Honorary President Helen V. Wojcik, and Vice President Sharon Zago. Standing, National Directors Helen Simmons, Dawn Muszynski Nelson, Marcia Mackiewicz Duffy, and Felicia Perlick.

District Presidents at the 110th Anniversary Banquet.

Members of the Youth Committee, Monica Moriarty, Daniel Sasula, Ryan Thompson, Ann Miklas, and Ambrose Kucharski, with District XIII President Alicia Van Laar at the Banquet.

At the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA

50th Anniversary Year

PWA AWARDED HERITAGE GRANT

PWA has been allocated $3,260 through the Heritage Preservation CAP Program in Washington, DC

to hire a professional conservator to assess our artifacts and library collections.

The assessment will be a “blueprint” for conserving these PWA artifacts, film/sound recordings,

wood artifacts and furniture, metalwork/metal sculpture, historic objects, library/archival materials, photographic materials, stone artifacts and sculpture, textiles and costume, and valuable treasures

such as the original letter to PWA from Madame Curie.

Vice President Sharon Zago and Treasurer Barbara Miller will work together on this project

to ensure its completion.

Our acceptance of the 2007 Heritage Grant and The Conservation Assessment Program

is the first step in obtaining additional funding to begin the actual preservation work. It is a

great privilege to continue the work set forth by our dedicated PWA forebearers. Let’s strive to

leave our PWA legacy to our PWA children, our leaders of tomorrow.

"WARSAW RISING" Video Available at PWA Home Office

Komitet Oswiaty has obtained the DVD and VHS versions of the "Warsaw Rising" documentary and it is now available with a selection of poetry inspired by the War to be used at your District, Council, and Group meetings. A deposit is necessary to use the film. To reserve the film or to obtain the poetry, please contact the office of the Vice President at 888-522-1898 Ext. 1208. A sample poem from the collection follows.

The Girl Scout - Harcerka

When she was dying in the hospital
she told her girlfriends she was ashamed
-after all there was a war on, she was a soldier-
she really was ashamed but could she ask
she really had never been to a party
after she died could they dress her up in the dress with lace.

When she died they dressed her in that dress
and all four came to attention by her bed
and stood there for an hour. Anna Swirszczynska

Our Address!

Polish Women's Alliance of America
6643 N. Northwest Hwy., Chicago, Illinois, 60631

The phone number will remain 1-888-522-1898.
E-mail addresses will remain unchanged.

Our phone numbers are the same but please note NEW extensions!!

Please note that after our move, the main telephone numbers have remained the same, but the extensions are now a little different. The number "1" has been dropped from the extensions. Please keep a copy of the extensions listed below for your use.

These main numbers are unchanged:

Main Number 847-384-1200
Toll-free Number 888-522-1898
Fax number 847-384-1494
Web site www.pwaa.org

If you would like to reach someone in the office and you know your party's extension, you can dial the extension number right after you hear the "Welcome to the PWA" message.

If you do not know your party's extension but know the name of the person you are calling, then right after the welcome message you should press the pound sign (#) and enter the first 4 letters of the person's last name and you will be connected with that person.
If you are calling to take care of one of the following business matters, please dial the extensions as listed below

New membership and sales Bo Padowski 228 or press 1
Billing & cash withdrawals Teresa Makowski 218 or press 2
Loans or death claims Barbara Ciepiela 227 or press 3
Accounting Wladzia Bula 216 or press 4
For the address and business hours information press 6
For all other inquires Grace Dubowski 226 or press 7

In addition to the above choices you can also contact the following offices by dialing the extension right after the welcome message:

President, Virginia Sikora 201
Vice President, Sharon Zago 208
Secretary-Treasurer, Antoinette Trela-Vander Noot 206
Accounting, Wladzia Bula 216
Office Manager, Maryla Folmer 220
General inquires, Grace Dubowski 226
Secretary to President Sikora 201
Secretary to National Secretary 210
Editorial Office, Glos Polek 217

If the person at the selected telephone extension is not able to answer the telephone within 4 rings, you should leave a voice mail message, clearly stating your name and telephone number and someone will call you back as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Komitet Oswiaty Is Looking to Add PWA History Books to Community Library Collections Nationwide
- Please join in the effort -

Komitet Oswiaty has recently taken on the project of finding homes for our cherished PWA history. Available in English is the recently published history book about our organization entitled In the Ideals of Women is the Strength of a Nation, published in 2003 by Donald and Angela Pienkos, ISBN 0880335300, Library of Congress Control Number 2003107565.

We also have copies of previously written history books available in the Polish language. Volume II of the History of Polish Women's Alliance of America covers the years 1939-1959. It was written by former editor Maria Lorys and published in 1980. Volume III published in 1981 was written by former National President Helena Zielinska, spanning the years 1959-1981.

If you are involved in your community library or know of a community library that could use these books in their public circulation, please contact Vice President Sharon Zago at 1-888-522-1898 Ext. 1208.

Let's all work together to share our rich history with as many community libraries as possible!

PWA PRESENTS ARCHIVES TO THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY
and is Recognized by Polish Geneaological
Society with the "Wigilia" Medal

Speakers at the Luncheon included, from left Director Rosalie Lindberg of the Polish Genealogical Society of America, author and Newberry Associate Grace Du Mehl, PWA President Virginia Sikora, Jack Simpson of the Newberry Library, PWA Treasurer Barbara Miller, and "Glos Polek" Editor Mary Piergies.

Chicago, IL-On Thursday, September 7, 2006, a special celebration took place at the prestigious Newberry Library of Chicago, one of the largest private libraries in the country. The PWA had donated a significant portion of its archives to the library's Local and Family History Department earlier in the year, and the luncheon marked the official presentation of PWA archives to the Newberry Library.
During the move from the large home office in Park Ridge to smaller quarters in Chicago, the need for a suitable space for PWA records became very clear. The records needed to be stored and preserved correctly, as well as catalogued and made accessible to the public, especially to scholars and historians. The Polish Genealogical Society of America provided assistance in this project and PWA gratefully acknowledges their support. In addition, PWA was advised by Mr. David A. Joens, Director of the Illinois State Archives.
After months of effort and deliberation, the Newberry Library in Chicago was selected as the repository for the Polish Women's Alliance records. The Library provides excellent storage, together with professional restoration and preservation services, and their collections are available to researchers and scholars of local and family history from all over the world.
The celebration began with words of welcome to the assembled guests from PWA Treasurer Barbara Miller, who was the chairperson of this event. Her remarks were followed by a short history of Polish Women's Alliance and how the organization started, over 100 years ago in Chicago, by Editor of "Glos Polek" Mary Piergies. President Virginia Sikora then delivered her remarks and officially presented the PWA archives to Mr. Jack Simpson, Curator of the Family and Local History Department at the New-berry. She also gave him a copy of a photograph taken at the very first National Convention of the PWA.
Mr. Simpson thanked the PWA for the historic donation and said that the work on the records would begin shortly. All the insurance applications would be catalogued and filed in acid-free folders and the other records would also be preserved and stored. He asked for Polish-speaking volunteers in the coming year to help with some of the translations. The PWA records should be available to the public in about a year's time.
The next speaker was Rosalie Lindberg, Director of the Polish Genealogical Society who commended the PWA on making this donation which will make family research so much easier for the thousands of Polish Americans who are interested in discovering their family roots. The PGSA was holding its convention in the Chicago area and its officers and many members were present at the luncheon.
The final speaker was Grace DuMelle, an author and associate at the Newberry. She stressed how significant the PWA archives were because women's histories are very hard to research. Women did not vote or own property or graduate from schools in significant numbers or even become US citizens in their own names, so up to the 1930s there is very little primary source material available about their lives. The PWA records will provide a wealth of information about women, their families, and their lives for a period in our nation's history when very little specific historic information is on the record. The Newberry Library and all its staff were clearly very excited at the PWA donation. A tour of the Library concluded the event.

PWA IS RECOGNIZED WITH THE WIGILIA AWARD

PWA Treasurer Barbara Miller accepts the Wigilia Award from PGSA President Mr. Edmund Iwanski.

In recognition of PWA's donation of its archives to a public institution where they will be more accessible to family historians, the Polish Geneaological Society of America presented the "Wigilia Award" to the PWA during a special luncheon held on Saturday, September 9, 2006, in Schaumburg, IL. The medal and award letter are posted here, www.pwaa.org/Polish_Geneaological_Society_Of_America.htm. The luncheon included a colorful performance by the PNA Folk Dancers. The Polish Genealogical Society was founded in 1978 and its mission is to collect, preserve, and disseminate information on Polish and Polish American history.

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