Emilia Napieralska was a 20th century Polish-American social worker and activist. She was a longtime president of the Polish Women's Alliance of America.
Biography
editNapieralska was born in the United States, a member of the Polish diaspora.[1]
Napieralska worked as a social worker.[2]
Napieralska joined the Polish Women's Alliance of America (PWA) in 1902.[1] She was elected its secretary in 1910, and was re-elected in 1912, 1914, and 1916. She was elected its president in 1918, and was re-elected in 1921, 1924, 1927, and 1931.[2] She was the first American-born president of the organization.[1] Napieralska was one of the most esteemed and involved women in the Polish-American community,[2] and was a leading feminist in the United States' Polish diaspora community.[3] Her skill for oratory was highly regarded.[4]
Napieralska additionally served as a member of the Chicago chapter of the Safety Council, and a member of the 1915 Women at the Hague peace conference.[2]
Poland's government honored Napieralska as a member of Order of Polonia Restituta and further awarded her Miecze Hallerowskie, the Silesian Uprising Cross, Komandorja Krzyza z Rzymu, and the Silver Cross of Merit.[2]
References
edit- 1 2 3 "caption for cover illustration". Polish American Studies Journal. LXIX (2). 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Napieralska, Emila". PolishMuseum.PastPerfectOnline.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "12. Emilia Napieralska – Polskie Radio WPNA 103.1 FM – Chicago". WPNA.fm. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Death Detains Rally Speaker; Woman Orator Not Present; Other Talks Given". The South Bend Tribune. October 6, 1938. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.