Wesley celebrates Mira for earning a prestigious award for her published works on Polish emigration to America.
Just last month, Wesley Lea Hill staff member Miroslawa “Mira” Kruszewski was awarded the Knight’s Cross, an honor from the Order of Polonia Restituta for outstanding achievements in the field of education, science, sports, arts and more, or for furthering good relations between countries.
In Mira’s case, the Polish and American governments honored her for her book, “Poles in America”, published in 2015. This award was bestowed to her at Seattle Center by the General Consul of Los Angeles, Jaroslaw J. Lasinski, who made the trip to Seattle to honor Mira personally.
Mira published works as a writer, journalist, theater reviewer and literary columnist. She’s published five poetry books. Her interest has always been about the history of Polish emigration, with particular focus given to ordinary, everyday people and their struggle with adversity in America.
Mira tracked the historical beginnings of Polish settlements in the United States and collected thirty-five years worth of archival records, which ultimately resulted in her 500-page book “Poles in America”. The book became a bestseller in the immigration press and earned “2015 Book of the Year” recognition. It was acclaimed as one of the most significant publications on Polish immigration in over a hundred years.
Mira’s recent award is a crowning achievement of her endeavors to document Polish emigration in America. Congratulations Mira!
From the American side were present:
• Senator David Frockt (representing 46th District in the State Senate)
• Congressman Gerry Pollet (serves in the 46th Legislative District)
• Representing the office of Senator – Maria Cantwell and Marielle
Trumbauer (Constituent Services)
• The office of Wesley Human Resourse Services represented Mrs. Aija Stapars
• Seattle Center was represented by Tom Israel, Director of Finance and Administration
From the Polish side they were present:
• Consul General of Poland from Los Angeles, Jarosław Łasinski, who personally decorated Miroslawa
Kruszewski with the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta
• Honorary Consul from Seattle – Mrs. Teresa Idelak-Davis
Polish organizations from Seattle were represented by: John Golubiec – Prezes of Seattle Polish
Foundation, Pawel Krupa – Prezes of Polish Home Association and Alisa Lidzbarski Lahti – Director of Polish
Festival Seattle.
This is great information Mira, thank you and congratulations!
Congratulations Mira! We are honored to have you with us here at Wesley Lea Hill. Thank you for writing this book and I am looking forward to reading your book.
Mira,
I am so amazed by your dedication and commitment! It took you 35 years of research to write this history of how the Polish people came to America. Its a perfect time in our country history to hear these stories and to appreciate who makes up “America”
We are all so proud of your achievements
Karen