Irena Sendler’s roundabout in Bielsko-Biała?

Maria Zawadzka, 16 November 2016
In Bielsko-Biała a project has been created to commemorate the memory of Irena Sendler by naming one of the local roundabouts or streets after the famous Righteous Among the Nations. A motion was submitted to the chairman of the Town Council of Bielsko-Biała Jarosław Klimaszewski by the members of the local district of the Young Socialists group. They proposed to name after Irena Sendler the roundabout at the junction of Wyzwolenia Street, Hałcnowska Street and Janowicka Street.

The Young Socialists have written in their motion: “We are asking to name a selected street or roundabout in Bielsko-Biała after Irena Sendler, one of the most outstanding Poles in the 20th century (…). The figure of Irena Sendler reminds us that even in the most difficult and dangerous situation one can remain honest and noble, and give one’s all to help others. The independent Polish Republic has honored Ms Irena Sendler, among others, with the Order of the White Eagle and by making efforts to nominate her to the Nobel Peace Prize. Therefore, we hope that the city authorities will also be willing to commemorate this unusual person”.

Dominik Wawrzuta, district secretary of the Young Socialists in Bielsko-Biała said: “Unfortunately, to this day this outstanding social worker has not been honored in the capital of the Podbeskidzie region with any street named after her. Her sacrifices, commitment and selflessness could be a perfect example for the present inhabitants of the city and for future generations”.

The decision concerning the project of the Irena Sendler’s roundabout will only be made in a few months, as the Town Council who has to make it, is on the leave until the end of August.

Irena Sendler, Righteous Among the Nations, activist of the underground Council to Aid Jews “Żegota”, working in the Welfare Assistance Department of the Warsaw Administration, saved 2,500 children during the Second World War. The children she helped rescue were brought out from the Warsaw ghetto onto the so-called Aryan Side. They received false papers and were placed in Polish orders, orphanages and families. Irena Sendler was awarded with the title of the Righteous Among the Nations in 1965. In 2007 the Righteous was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. She passed away on May 12, 2008 in Warsaw, at the age of 98.