Ludwika Wujec, a legendary figure in the anti-communist opposition in Poland, passed away on May 26. Born on April 2, 1941, in Lviv, she faced immense challenges from an early age. Her family, Jewish tailors, were evacuated to Stalingrad during WWII. After the war, Wujec settled in Warsaw and pursued studies in physics and mathematics, eventually becoming a teacher. Her dedication to social causes remained unwavering throughout her life.
Champion of the Oppressed
In the late 1970s, Wujec and her husband, Henryk Wujec, were instrumental in founding the Workers’ Defense Committee (KOR). This organization provided crucial support to workers repressed after the 1976 protests in Ursus and Radom. “It’s not about helping only your own. You have to help those in need, even if they don’t understand you,” she reflected in 2017. Despite her membership in the Polish United Workers’ Party (PZPR), Wujec was deeply involved in anti-socialist activities.
During martial law, Wujec was interned but continued her activism immediately upon release. She was active in the Primate’s Committee for Helping Detained Persons and Their Families and contributed to underground publications like “Tygodnik Mazowsze.” In 1989, she served as an assistant to Tadeusz Mazowiecki during the Round Table talks, highlighting her ongoing commitment to Poland’s democratic transition.
Ludwika Wujec’s legacy is one of unity and unwavering support for democratic values. Despite her sharp criticism of the PiS government, she maintained good relationships with former opposition colleagues, emphasizing the importance of democracy. Her humility and dedication to helping others, regardless of political divides, remain an inspiration.