Commander's Cross Awarded to Wanda Gawronska

You may know Wanda Gawronska because she is one of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati's nieces -- in particular, the one who has worked tirelessly for decades to promote his cause.  But did you know she also worked tirelessly for the rebirth of Poland?

Yesterday, she was honored by Bronislaw Komorowski, the President of Poland, in Warsaw.  Wanda was awarded one of Poland's highest honors -- the Commander's Cross of the Order of the Rebirth of Poland --  in recognition for her contribution to the struggle of the democratic opposition in Poland during the years of dictatorship and the restoration of its independence.  "I'm happy to be able to thank in this way the people to whom we owe our freedom," Komorowski said in his greeting addressed to all of the recipients.

Wanda is the daughter of the Polish diplomat Jan Gawroński and Luciana Frassati.  In Rome, Wanda founded the Center for European Studies and, with other members of her family, she supported through scholarships and various other European initiatives the reinstatement of Poland after the post-war division. The ceremony was held on the occasion of Poland's National Independence Day commemorating the return of Jozef Pilsudski in Warsaw on November 11, 1918, which marked the re-establishment of Poland after 150 years of partitions between Prussia, Austria and Russia. The award recipients were greeted by President Komorowski in the hall of the Presidential Palace, the same place that 25 years ago was home to the "round table" negotiations between the communist government and the Solidarity leaders.  These negotiations in 1989 opened the door to democratic change in Poland. (News Source: ANSA) 

Congratulations to Wanda on this wonderful honor!  Verso l'alto!