Anna Chrypinski

ACPCC PRESIDENT, 1977 - 1981

As I contemplate what the ACPCC accomplished during my presidency, I always keep in mind that whatever was achieved in those four memorable years was due to the convergence of several factors. Among them, I would like to emphasize the initiative and splendid cooperation of the Executive and Board members, the exemplary response of many affiliates and the generosity of several individuals like Mrs. Blanka Rosenstiel, Mr. and Mrs. Kirkley Coulter, Mrs. Joseph Pabis and Mrs. Lottie Gwiazda - to name but a few. Ali of them assisted us with their financial contributions for various initiatives. Of course, I was never indifferent to suggestions, advice or beneficial help, and strived to build on the foundations laid by my predecessors.

As a result, the ACPCC during this period had a number of "firsts", such as the Polish American Folk Dance Festival, the conference of the American Youth of Polish Descent (AYPD), the Pabis Scholarship, the Regional Discussions on Cultural Issues facing Polonia, the Warsaw Autumn Music Tours, and the membership in the National Polish American Congress. Most of these events have since either become a "regular" occurrence, or gave impetus to subsequent activities. Also during this time, we published Blood of Their Blood, Costumes and Dances of Poland, and American Polonia: the Cultural Issues, and began compiling all ACPCC annual reports for the convention into a single booklet instead of distributing each in individual copies -- thus enabling a better preservation of organizational records and wider sharing of information. Last, but not least, we interceded with the Polish authorities to have "Panorama Raclawicka" restored and permanently exhibited again in Poland.

All of these activities attracted a number of new affiliate clubs, bringing the total number from 31 to 41. It also elevated ACPCC to the forefront of national Polish American organizations - which was manifested by such events as invitations to the White House and State Department conferences; active membership on the Janusz Korczak Literary Award committee and a memorable meeting with His Holiness John Paul II at the Vatican; membership on the national Pope John Paul II Guest House committee, as well as seats on the advisory boards of the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences and the Kosciuszko Foundation.

POLISH DAY AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT

During the four years of my ACPCC presidency, there were numerous "high points" - both personal for me, and for the Council. Since my predecessor, dynamic Walter Zachariasiewicz, had brought the Council onto the national scene, the ACPCC already was "on the list" of the White House, State Department, National Council for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities as the national Polish American organization to contact in matters concerning Polish-American and Polish cultural affairs. Thus, I received a variety of invitations to represent the Council at the White House (with both Presidents Carter and Reagan). In October 1997, the Council was invited to participate in "Polish American Day" at the State Department, where, as ACPCC President, I delivered an address on "U.S. - Polish Cultural Relations". Other ACPCC members who also attended this conference were former ACPCC President Zachariasiewicz, Blanka Rosenstiel, Founder of the American Institute of Polish Culture, Miami.FL., ACPCC Quarterly Review Editor Irena Coulter and Board of Directors' member Alfred Bochenek. We were in "good company", for such dignitaries spoke during the day as: U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Honorable William Schaufele, as well as two former U.S. Ambassadors: Hon. Richard Davies and Hon. John Gronouski; also Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, President Carter's Foreign Policy Advisor, Polish American Congress President Al Mazewski, Dr. Eugene Kusielewicz, Kosciuszko Foundation President, and others. It is important to note that the Polish Americans were the first American ethnic group selected by the State Department for such an all-day conference.

JANUSZ KORCZAK LITERARY AWARD

Another "first" for the ACPCC was our participation, in July 1979, in a collaborative project with the B'nai B'rith, based on our common heritage of Polish and Jewish cultures. Much of the credit for bringing this project to fruition goes to Stanislaw Bask-Mostwin, member of our Baltimore affiliate. After several meetings in New York, our two groups decided to establish an international literary competition for the best children's book exemplifying the most worthy human traits, which we named the "Janusz Korczak Literary Award" (with a prize of $1000) - in memory of the courageous Jewish doctor from Warsaw, who gave up his life in Auschwitz to be with the children from his orphanage. It was further decided to ask for an audience with His Holiness (recently elected) Polish Pope John Paul II to ask for His blessing on the project. It was granted and six representatives of each group flew to Rome, presented our proposal and in private audience, received the Papal blessing on this meritorious initiative. Until the end of my presidency, I served on the jury for the selection of the winning entry. ACPCC also contributed money each year toward the award. Can any group reach higher than this?

ACPCC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ON POLONIA, 1979

Still another important national undertaking, suggested and implemented by Alfred Bochenek, member of the Washington, D.C. affiliate, was a national conference of representatives of some of the leading national Polish-American cultural and fraternal organizations for the purpose of discussing Polonia problems and common ventures. The first conference was held in Washington, D.C. The Kosciuszko Foundation, Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences, Polish American Historical Association and Polish American Congress took part in this historic event. This all-day meeting was such a success that in 1980 two regional conferences were held in Buffalo and Chicago, with the participation of local affiliates and members of Polonia. Papers read during these meetings were published by ACPCC in book form as "American Polonia: the Cultural Issues" and widely disseminated.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES, 1980 and on...

All of the above mentioned undertakings were important from the stand-point of recognition of the ACPC by the Polish-American and American communities. Nearest and dearest to my heart, however, was what we were able to achieve in "bringing into the fold" of our young people. It began with the organizing of a national Youth Conference, held in conjunction with the ACPCC Convention in San Antonio, TX in 1980. This was mad_ possible thanks to a grant of $25,000 from the Rosenstiel Foundation to our Council. (The young people later formed a national organization, which they named "Young Americans of Polish Descent" (YAPD), later changed to "American Youth of Polish Descent (AYPD) and held regional meetings). The other very successful initiative, proposed by Youth Chairman Greg Biestek was the organization of a Polish Folk Dance Festival, again held in conjunction with the ACPCC Convention in Detroit and Chicago. It proved such a tremendous success that it was repeated in different cities under the sponsorship of the American Council of Polish Cultural Clubs. Finally, after several years, the dance groups established The Polish Folk Dance Association of the Americas, separated from the ACPC, with whom, however, they periodically keep in touch. They are still holding annual Dance Seminars and Competitions. A very successful venture!

"WARSAW AUTUMN" CONCERT TOURS

Following the glowing report by Dr. Arrand Parsons on the Warsaw Autumn Contemporary Music Festival (Warszawska Jesien), during the 1977 Convention, ACPC member and travel agent from Chicago, Stefania Gondek, offered to organize such a tour to Poland. Thus, in the fall of 1978, the first group of ACPCC members and friends new to Poland and attended this world-famous music festival. The ACPCC sponsored tours continued annually for a number of years and was enjoyed by many ACPCC members and their friends.

PUBLICATION OF BOOKS AND CARDS

As a librarian and frustrated journalist, I have always had a weakness for and appreciation of the printed word. It is no wonder, therefore, that during my presidency, the ACPCC published DANCES AND COSTUMES OF POLAND, AMERICAN POLONIA: THE CULTURAL ISSUES and BLOOD OF THEIR BLOOD; an anthology of Polish-American Poetry, as well as a series of Christmas cards depicting Polish scenes. They were all "best-sellers" and enriched the treasury of the Council.

EXPANSION OF ACPCC AFFILIATES

Last, but certainly not least, during the four years of my presidency, our Council expanded from 31 affiliates to 41! This was due to the activity of the Council, good publicity and hard work of the membership chairperson, Carolyn Szymanski of Detroit, and ACPCC members.

In conclusion, it has always been my firm belief that we must concentrate even more on getting young people seriously involved in our organization - both in the affiliates, as well as the national - not just by giving "lip service" to this but rather by drawing them into our midst and giving them an opportunity to "learn by doing". We have made a giant step forward with the Folk Dance Festivals and the national ACPC Youth Conferences. Let us not rest on our laurels. Bach of us individually, and all together must nurture our young people and encourage them to be active participants in our exciting future!

From: American Council for Polish Culture, Our Second Quarter Century, 1973-1998. Edited by Anna Chrypinska 1998