Millions of Poles have migrated to America over the years. These Americans of Polish descent – today numbering nearly ten million in the United States – can be found in every corner of America. Their imprint can be found throughout the fabric of the United States in every walk of life.
My four grandparents emigrated to the United States – each passing the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor – in 1907, 1910, 1912, and 1913, respectively. They came, as others did, searching for a new life and a hope that their children and grandchildren would find success and happiness in this new land called America.
From 1795 to 1918, there was no Poland – partitioned by the Austro-Hungarian, Prussian, and Russian Empires. My grandparents lived in Galicia when they made their voyages. Galicia was an extremely hard-pressed area. Feeding the population was exceedingly difficult. It is no wonder people, like my grandparents, believed their futures lay elsewhere. In addition, the fear of eminent war between the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires was on the minds of many. My grandfather, Walenty, who was a blacksmith by trade, knew he would be conscripted into the army by Austria if war broke out. Smartly, he decided to leave. As did all of my four grandparents – to America!
Frances and Walenty Pienkos, 1913
After arriving in New York and having been processed through Ellis Island, Jozef Swierczek (1907), Frances Surman (1910), Walenty Pienkos (1912), and Ewa Michalczewska (1913) traveled to Chicago to begin their lives in the New World. How strange it must have been? Not knowing the language, experiencing strange foods and customs, needing to learn new places to live and work, must have been quite a challenge. They were not alone. Others, seeking new opportunities, surrounded them in their neighborhoods, where they attended Polish churches, shopped, and worked. As individuals, my grandparents met and married: Frances and Walenty Pienkos in 1913 and Ewa and Jozef Swierczek in 1914.
Ewa and Jozef Swierczek with Family, 1933
All of their descendants give honor and thanks to these four brave people who sacrificed much for better lives, not only for themselves, but for those that followed them. Their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren have all established themselves as very productive citizens of the United States. Similarly, my grandparents would be so very proud of all of my aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who took the opportunity to succeed in the United States and build better futures for themselves and their families. The experiences I have described are shared by millions of other immigrants, not only from Poland, but also from other nations.
Not to be forgotten are the efforts to maintain ties with Poland. Many of my grandparents’ descendants have established relationships with our Polish relatives. Visits to Poland include traveling to Rzeszow, as well as other cities to share experiences with our relatives. One such visit was in 2012 when the 100th Anniversary of Walenty Pienkos’ arrival to the United States in 1912 was celebrated. In September 2012, eighteen Americans traveled to Rzeszow to share in Walenty’s memory along with 65 Polish relatives for a three-day reunion. This is just one example of how important it is for our families to maintain ties with our Polish relatives. We cherish these relationships.
As one of the grandsons of Ewa and Jozef Swierczek, as well as Frances and Walenty Pienkos, I am so proud of what their lives have meant to me, my two brothers, and all of our families. Our grandparents always remain in our hearts and minds as we have lived our lives.
I have the good fortune to have married Hania Lesniewski in 1972. Hania was born near Warsaw and emigrated to the United States with her parents when she was nine years old. Hania is fluent in both English and Polish and has returned to her homeland over twenty-five times since arriving in Chicago in 1959. She is so proud of her Polish heritage. So proud that she now is a dual citizen of both the United States and Poland. Besides being the mother of our three children, Michelle, Karen, and Stephen, Hania has her own personal and community accomplishments. Perhaps most important, was her strategic involvement in a $2.4M USAID Grant Program from 1992-1995 that brought dozens of Polish physicians to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to learn the latest in emergency medical services (EMS). These doctors returned to Bialystok, Krakow, Lodz, Poznan, and Warsaw to train over 1,000 professionals in EMS. We have been told that these efforts, as well as other similar USAID grants, helped check a box required for Poland’s admission into NATO.
Dr. Mark Pienkos and Hania Pienkos, Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, May 3 Constitution Day, 2018
I have had a wonderful career in education, serving as a teacher, school counselor, associate principal, principal, and school district administrator. I always treated my students in ways to honor my grandparents. Just as they needed help to assimilate into American society, I also wanted to make sure every one of my students were made to feel they could accomplish anything, and with hard work and dedication, their dreams would become a reality.
Besides our careers, Hania and I have also devoted time and effort to participate and be leaders in various Polish-American groups. Hania just completed her three-year term as President of The Polish-American Association of Sarasota, Inc. (PAAoS) in Florida. This November, she will be the recipient of the “Ignacy Paderewski Civic Achievement Award” (awarded annually by the PAAoS) as a result of her being involved in various ways promoting her proud Polish heritage throughout her life. Previously, in 2012, Hania was the recipient of the “Congressman Clement Zablocki Civic Achievement Award” from the Polish American Congress - Wisconsin Division.
I have been involved in Polish organizations throughout my adult life. Currently, I serve as the National First Vice President for the Polish American Congress. In 2015, I was honored upon being awarded the Cavalier’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for, “Providing special services and extraordinary support to the Republic of Poland” by Robert Rusiecki, the Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago on behalf of the President of Poland.
I have been blessed to have been encouraged by my two parents, Stella and Edward Pienkos. Hard-working people who sacrificed for their children and always stressed Polish traditions and values: faith, hard-work, hospitality, helping others, and education.
Stella and Edward Pienkos Family, Stella’s 70th Birthday (1988)
I am proud to have earned a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Southern California. It was another way to honor my parents and grandparents.
My two brothers and I share in our proud Polish heritage, as well as their gratitude for our grandparents and parents.
One brother, Edward Pienkos, MD, is a surgeon specializing in Urology. He also is a retired Colonel in the United States Army Reserve. His wife of 56 years, Christine (Sciblo) Pienkos, is also a proud Polish-American, who came to the United States in 1949 as an emigrant. Her parents also emigrated to the United States. Her father, Stanley, became very involved with the Polish National Alliance in Chicago, serving in several leadership positions. Christine and Edward have four children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great grandchild. All are immersed in their Polish heritage.
The Pienkos Brothers: Mark, Donald, Edward
My oldest brother, Donald, is Professor Emeritus in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Donald is well-known and is a respected Polish-American activist and author of many books and articles informing readers of the experiences of Poles in America. He is also a sought-after lecturer on topics concerning Polish history and politics. Donald was a leading voice, and on the front line, lobbying the U.S. Congress to approve the treaty to admit Poland into NATO. Thankfully for Poland, that occurred in 1999. Donald is the recipient of the Officer’s Cross of Merit awarded by the President of Poland in 2010.
Donald’s wife of 57 years, Angela (Mischke) Pienkos, whose parents were very involved with their Polish heritage, earned a Ph.D. in Russian History. She has had an illustrious career as a college professor, long-time high school administrator, and author of several articles focusing on Poland. Angela and Donald have four sons and twelve grandchildren. All enthusiastically embrace their Polish heritage.
Ann & Mark Pienkos, Angela & Donald Pienkos, Christine & Edward Pienkos
Regarding our family, besides our three adult children, we are proud grandparents of two elementary-aged children. As mentioned earlier, since arriving in America in 1959, Hania has visited family and friends in Poland over twenty-five times. Hania has also taken each of our children to visit their ancestors’ home in Poland. I have visited Poland seven times, most recently this past July when Hania and I visited her family in Warsaw. As is the case with my brothers’ families, our children take to heart, and actively practice, their proud Polish heritage.
Our families live the Polish experience. My brothers and I are proud of our grandparents who came to America over 100 years ago. We have never forgotten their sacrifices – for all of us. In return, we have dedicated our lives, our families, our careers, and our community involvement to honor them. We will never forget Poland. Jeszcze Polska nie Zginęła! (Poland has not yet perished! - the words of the Polish National Anthem - Ed.)
All photos are from the author's private collection.
