Newsline

Newsline , Society

The Little-Known Polish Woman Who Brought Down the Soviet Empire

Posted on Saturday, September 3, 2022
|
by Ben Solis
|
45 Comments
|
Print

AMAC Exclusive – By Ben Solis

Soviet

The death this week of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has inspired renewed discussions about the end of the Cold War, as the world also reflects on leaders like Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher who finally pushed Gorbachev and the Communist Bloc to their breaking point. But in addition to presidents and prime ministers, the downfall of the Soviet Union was also brought about by millions of ordinary people who showed great courage and bravery in the face of oppression.

One such person was Anna Walentynowicz, a shipyard worker from Gdansk, Poland. 42 years ago last month, a wave of labor strikes that began following Walentynowicz’s firing from her job quickly spread throughout the country, paralyzing some of the Soviet Union’s most important industrial hubs. Though her name is often overlooked in histories of the Soviet period, Walentynowicz played a crucial role in bringing down the Iron Curtain.

From the early 1970s through the fall of the Soviet Union, Walentynowicz was one of the most instrumental figures in opposing Communist oppression in Poland through her involvement in organizing workers against the regime. Along with Lech Wałęsa, Walentynowicz helped found the the Solidarność or “Solidarity” movement, the first independent trade union in a Warsaw Pact country, which eventually played a critical role in bringing about the end of Communist rule in Poland.

Walentynowicz was born in 1929 to a protestant family of five in the Polish region of Wolyn, today part of Ukraine. From an early age, Walentynowicz witnessed the brutality of the Soviet regime, with her brother being sentenced to 15 years in a Siberian concentration camp. Her mother died when she was just eight years old. In 1943, at the height of Nazi Germany’s power, Anna was taken without the knowledge of her father by the owner of a sugar mill to live him with and his family in the Western part of German-occupied Poland. There, she worked as a maid for the wealthy mill owner until she left to work at the shipyards in Gdansk as a welder and crane operator in 1950.

Initially, Walentynowicz was heralded as a hero of socialist labor for her hard work. She became a leader at the shipyard, earning the title of “Hanka of the Proletariat.”

Soon, however, Walentynowicz began to grow disillusioned with the Soviet regime. In 1968, she was fired for the first time from the shipyard for exposing the corruption of a supervisor. Two years later, in December 1970, the government announced major increases in the price of food, a prospect that left many families on the brink of starvation. Protests broke out in several northern Polish cities, including Gdansk. In response, the Soviet regime sent in troops to put down the unrest, leaving more than 40 dead and hundreds more injured.

For Walentynowicz, it was a breaking point. In subsequent years she made efforts to preserve the memory of those who were killed, earning stern warnings, threats from the secret police, and even imprisonment. Her growing dissent became open rebellion, and she fully committed herself to the cause of opposing the regime.

Over the next ten years, Walentynowicz devoted herself to the opposition movement, giving every spare moment and penny to their cause. Her humility and total devotion to the opposition quickly endeared her to its members, and she became one of the leading voices of the movement. In addition to distributing anti-government magazines, writing columns, giving money, and opening her small apartment for opposition meetings, Walentynowicz also became a mother figure for the opposition. She cooked, washed their clothes, and turned her spare bedroom into a guest room. Walentynowicz also continued to give generously to her fellow workers, earning a status of enormous respect within the Gdansk shipyard.

Walentynowicz’s recollection of her first meeting with opposition leaders captures her characteristic humility and genuineness. “They are so wise and educated, and I am a simple worker, a shipyard’s crane operator,” she remembers. “After all, I have no idea about the conspiracy! Will they accept me?” 

In response to her growing involvement with the opposition movement, the secret police continued to threaten Walentynowicz. At work, the shipyard directors transferred her to different sections and deprived her of entrance cards, punishing her with reprimands, salary cuts, and even imprisonment. But nothing deterred her.

Eventually, the authorities were forced to act, and Walentynowicz was fired on August 7, 1980, just a short time before her retirement and pension. In response, her colleagues in the trade unions movement signed a statement in her defense, calling upon workers to protest.

Many thousands answered the call, effectively shutting down Poland’s crucial northern port cities. The demonstrations eventually culminated in the Gdansk Agreement, authorizing Solidarity as the first free-trade union in Communist Europe. Solidarity soon became the world’s largest trade union, with more than 10 million members, although its numbers have dwindled in recent years.

Eventually, the shipyard was forced to offer Walentynowicz her job back. A year later in December 1981, Walentynowicz was arrested and jailed for seven months for anti-government activities. But eight years later, in 1989, Solidarity prevailed in the first semi-free and open elections in the country in decades, effectively ending Communist rule in Poland. Just a few months later, the Berlin Wall would fall, followed by the Soviet Union two years later.

Walentynowicz’s firing helped transform what had originally been protests over rising bread prices into an all-out assault on the Soviet regime. The protestors did not seek a compromise with the Communist regime, but demanded recognition of their rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and dignified treatment of the workers. In many ways, the Solidarity movement stood for what the American Founding Fathers had defined as “unalienable rights.”

There was also a religious component to Walentynowicz’s actions which undoubtedly played a role in the success of the Solidarity movement. Walentynowicz became a close friend of Pope John Paul II, whose portrait she helped place at the entrance to the Gdansk shipyard. It was Walentynowicz who, after several hours of battle with local government bureaucracy, won permission for Sunday masses in the shipyard. That unique service unified the city’s inhabitants that surrounded the shipyard and the workers behind the gate, paving the way for closer cooperation against the regime.

Despite her relatively low profile in history textbooks, Walentynowicz stands as one of the most important figures of the 20th century. Her courage helped pave the way for the fall of Communism in Poland and the rest of the Soviet Bloc. As the world reflects on the life and legacy of Gorbachev, people should also remember the bravery of individuals like Walentynowicz, who can continue to inspire us to this day.

Ben Solis is the pen name of an international affairs journalist, historian, and researcher.

Share this article:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
45 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Hal
Hal
2 years ago

Hmm. A Polish lady with polish!!!!

Gary Montgomery
Gary Montgomery
2 years ago

Small steps, small actions, Passion, patience, ultimately Love… brought huge change.

Gwyn
Gwyn
2 years ago

What an inspired overview of God’s inspired Hand within men’s lives. And a reminder that His Hand is constantly working within our lives forever, even now! ????????

lap
lap
2 years ago

thank you Ben Solis for a great reminder of what each of us can do to make a difference.

Momcat
Momcat
2 years ago

Sadly, if Anna Walentynowicz is nominated for a Nobel peace prize, she’ll be ignored just like Irena Sendler was in favor of some climate hoax huckster or anti-American dictator. Thanks for the story & hopefully Anna will be remembered for her role in ending communism.

Morbious
Morbious
2 years ago

Many thousands risked all for freedom but many of us here are scared to confront our own kids and gkids when they spout communism. Or to refuse to send them to stylish indoctrination centres at great cost.

Old Silk
Old Silk
2 years ago

She has a good story.

Gloria H
Gloria H
2 years ago

What a marvelous, brave woman! A woman and a warrior. Reminds me of the stories of Joan of Arc!

Joel Tinnow
Joel Tinnow
2 years ago

I wish Amac would publish more of such stories.

I am tired of loud and divisive headlines. People are tired with empty speculations.

We have that Chicoms lover in WH now. Time to think how to encourage ourselves. Thank you Mr. ben

Lucy
Lucy
2 years ago

She was always in one step ahead of the enemy. Besides, she was servant there, all the time – not expecting to be famous. Exactly opposite to some of our leaders… My granddaughter is helping me to find articles like this. Most of them on amac wrote this author.

Amac, I appreciate these stories I will be 80 this month, they give me peace.

My granddaughter also read this story and found more about her, and decided to visit Young America foundation meeting. It was her first time, she said she liked it very much yesterday, my granddaughter told me that she wanted to take a course in Cold War history. She wants to be like this woman

Thanks Amac, thanks mr. Solis

mark
mark
2 years ago

Everyone is talking about U.K queen.. But this woman is an example. How incredible was her perseverance! I share wish to read more such stories. Did she visit U.S.?

Joy M
Joy M
2 years ago

I’m glad I found this story. It deserves more than one line. But my eyes are weak. I really, really enjoyed. Marvelous, humble, heroic woman.

Thanks amac. It is why I read these articles. this author made my day.

Xavier Ed
Xavier Ed
2 years ago

Great woman, uplifting and encouraging story. What happened to her after that? I know she died in that horrible plane disaster.

Carol
Carol
2 years ago

Yes, it is really inspiring and encouraging story. I avoid most of media because of too much anger there. But stories like this is why I am with amac. Brilliant brave woman.

Debbie
Debbie
2 years ago

Real role model. God bless the U.S. We need such examples here. Beautiful story

john
john
2 years ago

I stopped visiting Breitbart because of the rage. Their headlines are unbearable. I hope amac will be different.

This story shows we can do it differently – with peace, reason and prayer. I remember Reagan campaign was a lot of much calmer. We did not call Democrats evil.
Reagan ad was New Morning in America. His message was sound for all Americans.

I agree that more women and men are needed like this woman. God bless her.

It is a wonderful story I find it my favorite today.

Hannah
Hannah
2 years ago

I join in with the other commenters here and congratulate Mr. Solis on a Wonderful inspiring story about such a humble Godly woman who did her part to fight against tyranny and Communism.

I enjoy and look forward to reading Mr. Solis articles because they’re always comprise of little known historical facts. His articles are not filled with unnecessary angry hysteria, that sadly some conservative writers resort to.

In my opinion, the humble Ms. Anna Walentynowicz was the Queen of Solidarnosc. GOD Bless her!! 🙂 Thank You AMAC for publishing this story 🙂

Joshua
Joshua
2 years ago

Definitely too much rage among Conservatives. We should be more rational. Our grand kids are too riotous and loud.

This story provokes me to rethink many of our ways.

I am glad amac publishes them. I am also tired with anger and aggression in radio, fox I turned off them. But still reading amac

love
love
2 years ago

Great story. Persuasive not aggressive story – more of such stories, in that Reaganite style and we will win.

love
love
2 years ago

We need to win hearts and minds amac, not people’s emotions. Reagan did not offend them, or mock them – he used an irony and humor. These are two different strategies. That is why so many came to him first inside the party – from Rockefeller’s people. And then even Democrats listened to him.

Matt
Matt
2 years ago

It is a marvelous story and, indeed a heroic woman.
At that time, like that woman, we stood for an unambiguous way of reasoning linked with unshakable principles called conservatism. We should put these stories as inspiration for our confused youth.

I am annoyed with fox praising supposed Reagan’s unique relationship with Queen and silencing critical moments. Yes, she indeed reciprocated Reagans with a visit to the Ranch. It was a rainy day, and four secret agents died in a crash on that narrow mountain road.

I am annoyed with fox praising supposed Reagan’s unique relationship with Queen and silencing critical moments. Yes, she indeed reciprocated Reagans with a visit to the Ranch. It was a rainy day, and four secret agents died in a crash on that narrow mountain road.
But Reagan asked not to classify his visit to Queen’s estate as a state visit. It was not all.

He had made a favor to Queen and went to Falklands, although he hoped to have Argentina as a fortress against Castro and the Soviets.

Then later, when we went to Grenada to kick out Bishop’s gang Queen was peeved. It was Thatcher who dispersed the clouds. But some people who knew told me that it was why Queen sent Prince Charles to Reagan’s funeral.

I am independent too, and I like the calm style of these articles. And yes, I have enough of celebrating turning people like queen or gorbatchev into saints.

Nancy
Nancy
2 years ago

I wish newsmax, fox would talk about this woman not queen or Gorbachev. His name does not fit that story either. I was with our mission in 1987 in Vilnius. I saw the tanks, dead Lithuanians, and a campaign of hatred by the Kremlin calling these patriots “separatists” and “trash”. Gorbachev said it too. He never faced court for this or similar attacks in other places. We helped him to avoid it.

Then I was with Boeing in 1992 in Moscow at the time when he tried to create trouble for the Yeltsin government. He did not want Yeltsin to launch a trial against the Soviet party. We helped Gorbachev too. Our embassy convinced Yeltsin to abandon this idea. 

When I was back in San Francisco in 1995, I saw how Gorbachev set up his offices next to our universities to indoctrinate our kids with perestroika and global warming. He was Gore’s pal all the time. And now we are supposed to call him “noble”?

I hope amac will publish more such inspiring stories like this one. There was a time when we Conservatives knew our values and how to defend them. We had Freeman, Human Events, and I subscribed since the beginning. These are examples to follow.

Joann
Joann
2 years ago

It is a beautiful story. I believe Human Events or Buckley’s Nat review had also story about her. It was captive nations weekend, Reagan initiated it to remember political prisoners and nations under Soviets occupation.

I thought I am only Independent here. I also voted for Reagan twice as former Democrat.

I found this discussion educative unlike on other websites. Recommended this and other such stories to friends.

fredomreigns
fredomreigns
2 years ago

This type of humble leadership helps to achieve lasting changes. Her victorious style should be promoted as an example along with leaders in business or military. This lesson has a universal value…

fredomreigns
fredomreigns
2 years ago

Walentynowicz added a prayer to her actions, or rather she was led by prayer. We should never forget it. Reagan was less ostentatious with his religious life than some of our leaders but he was consequential.

greta
greta
2 years ago

Amazing woman. I am glad I found this story. Perseverance, perseverance, humility…

Amac, why this beautiful story is not on your Facebook? Someone alerted me to it.

Fox is full of queen, amac follows them… we completely, completely forgot our 9/11 heroes and threat of terror is only increasing.

andyc
andyc
2 years ago

Excellent, delightful testimony of power of humility. Amazing. God bless her and her family.

Jenna
Jenna
2 years ago

Oh wow, this is so uplifting story. Truly American in that sense. Can’t find such stories in other places. I am glad I am with amac.

Will
Will
2 years ago

I saw this woman during Pulaski parade in NYC in 1990 or so. Yes, she was exceptionally humble. They asked her about her role and she said something like “I helped a bit”.

The discussion is also excellent, and I am glad that pro-Putin fans are not here. They are moving from page to page and place long negatives comments to all stories about Ukraine, Putin’s criticism, our contribution to NATO, even our security – it is a classic Kremlin textbook.

I am concerned that Amac allowed them to dominate these discussions. It would be good if spokesman would clarify where Amac stands on these issues – especially on Ukraine and Putin.

I do not want to support anything that tolerates praise for Putin and calls him Christian (whom obviously he is not.)

I am very encouraged by the story about Walentynowic. How appropriate it was that I found it on Sept 11. We should never forget it. God bless the USA.

Hope
Hope
2 years ago

They persecuted her for nearly 30 years, if I am correct. And she won freedom for many people. What an example of compassion and love.

judith
judith
2 years ago

It was hard to find this story. I got it from my friend. Beautiful.

Some say food for thought and I would add food for the soul – it is this story. This woman reminds me of Deborah from book of judges. In hebrew devorah means bee that symbolizes humility, and biblical Deborah was like a bee – humble, courageous and always prepared to stand for truth.

She was a warrior.

Walentynowicz reminds me of Deborah in that sense.

Latest Articles

President Joe Biden, son Hunter Biden and sister Valerie Biden walk across the South Lawn of The White House on July 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. President Biden is returning from a weekend trip to Camp David. (Photo by Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images)
President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Dana White during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City.
Textured red flannel shirts hanging on clothes rack in thrift shop

Stay informed! Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter.

"*" indicates required fields

45
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x

Subscribe to AMAC Daily News and Games