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Laureta, Mother Maria
A nun, teacher. Born Jan. 30, 1862 in Wiczewo, Poland. In 1883 became a professed Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Came to U.S. in 1885 and in 1889 became the first Mother Provincial of the Holy Family of Nazareth Sisters of the U.S. Organized the first Polish Hospital in 1894 in Chicago. On Mar. 28, 1903, after 17 yrs. of service in America, elected Mother General of the order and left U.S. In 1918 she divided the American Province into three new Provinces. Her special care were the Polish schools in the U.S. Extended her order's services to the colored people. In 1933 she opened a school for colored children in Chicago and later in other cities. Died June 15, 1942 in Rome, Italy.

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943

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