[Flanagan Picture]

Mary and Robert Flanagan
editors of Polish Heritage, newsletter of the American Council for Polish Culture

Mary Lubienski Flanagan, a native of Michigan, studied journalism at the University of Michigan and has a BFA in Art History and an MFA in Art History and City Planning from Wayne State University. She volunteered at the Corcoran Gallery Museum in Washington, DC. She worked in public relations for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before becoming an aide to Congressman Lucien Nedzi of Michigan. When he retired, she worked for Congressman John Dingell of Michigan and Congressman Henry Nowak of New York. She began a publications and design business with her husband Robert. As retirees, they continue doing pro bono work. Mary served as president and board member for the local chapters of Polish American Congress, Polish American Arts Association, Friends of John Paul II Foundation. She is a member of PNA, PAHA, PIAST and the Polish Library in Washington. She was the recording secretary during Walter Zachariasiewicz's tenure as ACPC President (1974-1977). She has continued to serve on the ACPC Board. She chaired the Jan de Rosen Memorial Committee. Along with her husband, a memorial was unveiled at the cemetery of Our Lady of Czestochowa in 2005. This concluded a long time effort to raise funds to honor the artist and ACPC member, Jan de Rosen. She is co-editor of the ACPC Polish Heritage publication and completing a biography of Jan de Rosen. She received the Cavalier's Cross for Service to the Republic of Poland, the Pro Ecciesia medal and the Order of Knight Commander of St. Sylvester from Pope John Paul II.

Received "Pride of Polonia" Award in 2015 [Arrow Picture]

Robert Flanagan was born in Cambridge Massachusetts. He was a student at the Massachusetts School of Art when World War II broke out. In 1942 he volunteered for duty in the Army Air Corps and served with the 14th Air Force "Flying Tigers" in the CBI (China, Burma, India ) Campaign as a B25 Billy Mitchell bomber pilot. After the war he stayed in the U.S. Air Force working in the field of Public Relations with flying duties. He was public relations officer with the US Air Force stationed in Germany during the Hungarian Air Lift. He was Art Director of "Airman" magazine and retired in 1968 with the rank of Colonel. His medals include the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. His civilian employment was in public relations for several government agencies including the FDA, Federal Water Quality Administration and EPA retiring in 1986. He became a part of the Polish Community when his co-worker Mary invited him to help make decorations for the 1966 Polish Millennium Bali and has been involved in Polonia ever since. He created logos for Poland's Breast Cancer Awareness Program and ABCXXI Children's Reading Program. He is co-editor and layout designer of the "Polish Heritage" and Friends of John Paul II Foundation Newsletter. For his contributions and support of Polish causes, he was awarded the Cavalier's Cross Order of Merit from the Republic of Poland.

From: Resume (2007)