Maria Przezdziecki

Polonia Activist

by the Board of Directors of the Polish Heritage Society in Rochester NY.

After 10 years in Harrow, UK, she moved with husband and four children in 1967 to Pittsford NY.

As a member of the Organization to Aid Newcomers from Poland she assisted new arrivals from Poland. She is also commended for her strong involvement as a committee member strengthening the ties with sister city, Krakow, and a chairman of the Student Exchange program. She also was active in the move to adopt the ChildrenŐs Hospital in Krakow by the St. Stanislaus Parish.

In cooperation with the Hippocrene Books, Inc. Maria sold, over ten years, hundreds of calendars and books, covering Polish themes, with the proceeds going towards activities of KRSCC.

Activity:

1982-1985 - Member of the Organization to Aid Newcomers from Poland. Apart from assisting new arrivals from Poland Maria served as an interpreter and translator in the Court system and variety of offices (e.g. Catholic Family Center) as needed.

1985-1998 - Program Chairperson, Krakow Rochester Student Exchange (ATAD-Association for Teen-Age Diplomats).

1982 - present - member of the Social Concerns Committee of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, The Committee "adopted" the Children's Hospital in Krakow.

1988-2001 - Co-Chair of the Krakow Rochester Sister Cities Committee, Inc.

1988-2001 - Member of the Board of Directors of the International Sisters Cities Committee of Rochester, Inc. (ISCOR).

References:

1. Democrat and Chronicle, Sunday, May 3,1992: "Polish emigre revisits land of Raw memories " by Michael Zeigler.

2. " Two Extraordinary Journeys" - Wojciech and Maria Przezdzlecki in "Shoulder to Shoulder" 2nd Edition, by Kathleen Urbanic, 2000.