Alicja Barbara Ciecek (Swierczynska)

Polonia activist

Born Kielce, Poland; married Michael (Mieczyslaw); children: Bozena, Andrew, Elizabeth, Jolanta, nine grandchildren.

Education: University of Rome; North Western College, London; Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) humanities, liberal arts.

Military: Polish Home Army (PHA) 1942-44, Warsaw Uprising, courier, Powisle, Srodmiescie; prisoner of war (POW) Sandbostel, Oberlangen - Niederlangen, Germany; 2nd Polish Corps; decorated with Polish Home Army (PHA) cross.

Member of: Staff member at the Catholic Charities (Caritas), Diocese of Orange, assistant director, resettlement/immigration department, since 1975; Polish Home Army Veterans Association (PHAVA), (past secretary, board member); Solidarity, Polish American Congress (PAC), and numerous social, fraternal and religious organizations. Founding member of the Pope John Paul II Polish Center in Yorba Linda, CA.

Resident: USA since 1951, NY, NJ; CA 1955; Tustin, CA.

From: "Polish Americans in California, Vol. II," National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.