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Polish Women's Alliance and WLA Preservation Project
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WLA Director, Nancy Freeman, with Antoinette Trela, Secretary-Treasurer of the Polish Women's Alliance, and Bozena Norwicka McLees, Director of Interdisciplinary Polish Studies at Loyola University Chicago, at an event held to launch fundraising efforts for the project.
UPDATE: This project concluded in 2022. Learn more about the work completed during the project.
The Polish Women’s Alliance (PWA) and the Women and Leadership Archives (WLA) have teamed up for the PWA Preservation Project, launched in December 2016. Almost 120 years old, the PWA’s valuable records are held at the WLA. Many of the records, such as photographs and documents, are in need of professional conservation to preserve them for current and future use. In addition, translation is needed as the vast majority of records are in Polish.
Project specifics are still in the initial phases. One possibility is to receive funding through the Polish Cultural Ministry for a Polish archivist to work temporarily at the WLA, to translate the documents and assist with input on a searchable public online system. The overarching goal is to preserve PWA’s records for future generations. PWA is an important organization with a rich, enduring legacy. The best way to ensure the future is to honor the past.
If you are interested in donating to this project, please print the form below and mail it with your donation to the Polish Women's Alliance of America.
PWA Preservation Project Donation Form
The donation and form can be mailed to:
Antoinette L. Trela
PWA Council 27
1619 E. Greenwood Dr.
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
Read the PWA's article about the December 11, 2016 event that celebrated the collaboration and raised funds for the project here.
