March 8 is International Women’s Day. It’s a great day to honor Henry Zguda’s mother, Karolina Zguda. It wasn’t easy being a single mom in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Henry told me once he returned to Poland after WWII because his mom was alone. He could have emigrated to the West, especially the United States, however he couldn’t leave his mom.
He said later if he could have done it again, he’d have moved to the United States 15 years before he did. But then, none of us can foresee the future. According to the web site for International Women’s Day the day was first established by Russia on the eve of World War I in response to women protesting for more rights. The movement spread through Europe. At the heighth of the feminist movement the United Nations declared 1975 International Women’s Year. Women’s rights have come a long way, but the holiday remains.
Above photos from Henry’s personal photo album. All photos are undated. The three women are left to right Henry’s Aunt Sofia, Karolina Zguda and Aunt Antonia. The older photo to the right the only photo of Henry’s mother as a young woman – she had no money for photos. She is to the far left, holding Henry at about one year old. The older woman is Henry’s grandmother Sofia Podsiadlo, and then his Aunt Antonia. The last photo is Karolina posing for fun.
Above photos from Henry’s personal photo album. All photos are undated. The three women are left to right Henry’s Aunt Sofia, Karolina Zguda and Aunt Antonia. The older photo to the right the only photo of Henry’s mother as a young woman – she had no money for photos. She is to the far left, holding Henry at about one year old. The older woman is Henry’s grandmother Sofia Podsiadlo, and then his Aunt Antonia. The last photo is Karolina posing for fun.
