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!