Bozena Bienkowska
travel agency owner

Bozena was raised in a large loving family in Poland where she learned the value of education, hard work, and service to others from her parents, Irena and Edward Popinscy. Bozena said, "They always taught us that before you can be anything else, you first have to be a human being."

When Bozena finished her education, she married Zbigniew Bienkowski. Given the housing shortage in communist Poland, they lived with Zbyszek's grandmother. When they were blessed with daughter, Ania, they made a down payment to be put on a waiting list for an apartment. After nine years, they decided that since they were not party members, the chances of them ever seeing this apartment were remote. They left for the United States in 1989 and moved into the Polish neighborhood on Brunswick Avenue, hopeful of a better life. They were off to a good start when they met Henry and Sylvia Drabiuk, owners of Henry's Deli, and became life long friends.

For the past 19 years, Bozena's presence in the community has been a gift to all of us because she brought with her the values she learned from her parents. Zbyszek and Bozena created a better life for themselves and improved the lives of others. Bozena learned English, continued her education, and began working at a travel agency. She studied tourism at Mercer County Community College, and income tax preparation with H & R Block. In 1991, she opened Pomerania Travel and Tax Services. For 17 years, she has worked hard to offer quality service to immigrant clients.

While running a successful business, Bozena devotes herself to helping recent immigrants. She assists with translations in government offices, hospitals, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. She helps with registration of children in school and attendance at parents' nights. She has helped pregnant women who are without family support to make doctors visits and during labor. With a request from local police, Bozena received domestic violence training. Part of the response team when incidents occur, she provides translation and counseling to the individuals involved.

Other examples of her social work include the case of a young man who was shot at a gas station. Bozena helped raise funds to return the body to Poland and to help his widow and three children. Through the charitable association, Ogniwo, she helped organize annual drives to aid immigrants who faced accidents, sudden illness. or natural disasters. She became president of Ogniwo in 1994, and the group helped flood victims in Poland as well as a little boy in the United States who was struck with cancer. For the past 10 years, Polish children here have helped children in Polish orphanages through a program called "Children in Trenton for Children in Poland." Bozena said, "At Christmas, we organize a party with Santa and children bring presents to send the orphans in Poland. In this way, we teach them to share with those who have less than they do." The group also sends these children school supplies, bicycles, sneakers, and computers.

A member of Saint Hedwig's Parish in Trenton, Bozena sings in the choir, helped organize the 100 anniversary, and served as president of the rosary society. She served on the committee, led by parishioner Stefan Derkacz, that initiated the annual pilgrimage from Trenton to Czestochowa. Every year she helps organize the growing event, which involves finding appropriate places to eat and stay overnight. During the fifth year of the pilgrimage last August, 280 parishioners walked for two days to reach the shrine. She also helped put together the 50th anniversary of the Sanctuary of Our Lady in the American Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

We are proud to say that Bozena is also a valued member of the Polish Arts Club of Trenton where she has organized dances to raise money for the scholarships offered by our organization. She also lights up our events with her energy and bright smile. In summing up her accomplishments, Bozena said "While working professionally, it is a pleasure to share my personal time for social outreach. I am always open to new initiatives and the needs of the community."

From: Polish Arts Club of Trenton - 62nd Poloniase Ball and Scholarship Awards Dinner (program), April 26, 2008.