Helena Lopata (Znaniecka)
Sociologist, scholar, educator
Born Oct., 1925, Poznan, Poland; came to U.S., 1941; daughter of Florian and Eileen (Markley); married Richard Lopata; children: Theodora, Stefan.
Education: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), 1945, Master of Arts (M.A.), 1946, University of Illinois, Urbana; Ph.D., University of Chicago (IL), 1954.
Career: assistant prof., 1965-67, associate prof., 1967-69, Roosevelt University, Chicago; prof., 1969 -, chairman, Department of Sociology, 1970-72, director, Center for Comparative Studies of Social Roles, 1972 -, Loyola University, Chicago; visiting prof., University of Minnesota, 1980, Boston College (MA), 1982, University of Guelph (Canada), 1987.
Author: Occupation: Housewife, 1971; Widowhood in an American City, 1973; Polish Americans: Status Competition in an Ethnic Community, 1976, revised 1993; Women as Widows: Support Systems, 1979; Circies and Settings: Role Changes of American Women, 1993; co-author (with D. Barnewolt and C. AIlyn), City Women: Work, Jobs, Occupations, Careers: America, vol. l, 1985, Chicago, vol. 2, 1986; co-author (with H. Brehm), Widows and Dependent Wives: From Social Problem to Federal Policy, 1986; co-editor (with D. Maines), Friendship in Context; series editor, Current Research on Occupations and Professions, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1987, 1990; numerous chapters in scientific books and articles in proflessional journals.
Member of, i.a.: International Sociological Association (council, Family Research Committee, 1990-93); fellow, Gerontological Society of America (vice president, 1982-83); president, Midwest Council for Society Research on Aging, 1990-92; Awards Policy Committee, International Committee, 1992-95; American Sociological Association (chair, sections on aging, sex and gender, family); president, Society for the Studies of Social Problems; steering committee member, Sociologists for Women in Society; advisory committee member and chairman, White House Conference on Aging, Washington (DC), 1979-81; board member, Mayor's Council on Senior Citizens and the Handicapped, Chicago, 1975-78; Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America (P.I.A.S.A.) (board directors member, 1978-82); board member, Polish Welfare Association, Chicago.
Honors: M. Haiman Award, polish American Historical Association (P.A.H.A.), 1987; Distinguished Scholar Award, Society for the Studies of Social Problems, 1989; Burgess Award, National Council on Family Relations, 1990; Distinguished Scholar, American Sociology Association (Section on Aging), 1992.
Languages: Polish, English, French.
Hobbies: research, travel, activities in professional organizations.
Office: Loyola University of Chicago, Department of Sociology, 6525 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60626.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation,
New York, NY, 1996