Polish Women's Alliance of America in Southern CaliforniaDistrict of the nation's largest organization for women of Polish extraction and/or conviction
by Florence Swait
The Polish Women's Alliance of America (PWAA), the nation's largest organization for women of Polish extraction and/or conviction, was founded in Chicago in 1898 to ensure their welfare and that of their children through beneficial life insurance programs. At that time, women were unable to purchase life insurance coverage, only men could do so. But they overcame the many legal difficulties connected with this and, since its inception 95 years ago, the PWAA has grown into a national, fraternal, benefit society, licensed to conduct a fraternal life insurance business in 17 states and conduct a program of fraternal activity for over 65,000 paying members, including men, women and children.
Since 1910 PWAA has published a bi-lingual, semi-monthly newspaper Glos Polek (Voice of Polish Women). The present home office is located at 205 S. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, lllinois.
During its years of service to the community, PWAA has worked to preserve Polish culture, customs and traditions by sponsoring classes in language, literature, crafts, folk dancing and singing. It has also sponsored festivals, commemorative programs and quadrennial youth conferences.
Each year PWAA distributes fifty thousand dollars in university scholarships to eligible young members. It maintains a Fraternal Aid Fund for needy members, gives disaster assistance to members around the nation and administers to the sick, elderly and bereaved.
Nationally, the PWAA engages in fund raising for a myriad of worthy causes in the United States and Poland. Additionally, each District, CounciI and Affiliate Group has its own special project. PWAA District 13, California, supports and actively participates in the Polish - American community in the Los Angeles area. It holds membership in the Polish American Congress and installs displays in local libraries to celebrate Polish American Heritage month each October.
The several affiliate groups under CounciI 35, District 13, support their own special projects, some of which include: American Red Cross; Burn Center, Sherman Oaks Hospital; Szarotka (Polish Retirement Home); Harcerze (Polish Scouts); Our Lady of the Bright Mount Church; and local community assistance for the homeless and needy.
Since 1959, the highlight of the PWAA fund raising efforts in Los Angeles has been the Annual Debutante Presentation Ball. Not only is it a major source for scholarship funding, but is the most prestigious event of the PWAA year, and gives the PWAA youth the opportunity of socializing in elegant settings.
The first affiliate group of the PWAA in Los Angeles, Group 541, was organized in 1928. It was followed by Group 752 (Tow. Krolowej Jadwigi); Group 784 (Madame Sklodowska-Curie); Group 811 (La Jolla): Group 813 (South Bay); and Group 814 (San Fernando Valley). These groups operate under Coundl 35, District 13. The first president of District 13 was Wanda Dettling. She was succeeded by Florence Mika. Currently, Florence Swait is serving in that capacity. Presidents of groups within District 13, California are:
CounciI 35: Helen Simmons
Group 752 (Krolowej Jadwigi): Wiktoria Kozien
Group 784 (Madame Sklodowska-Curie): Joan Choban
Group 813 (South Bay): Jean Sahs
Group 814 (San Fernando Valley): Wanda Laskey
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.