News CenterAnna Walentynowicz accepts Truman-Reagan Medal of FreedomDecember 14, 2005
The medal is awarded by the U.S. Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, a non-profit organization established by an Act of Congress to commemorate victims of communism and to honour those who struggled against communism. The medal was also awarded to Pope John Paul II and to a prominent Polish American, retired Army General Edward Rowny. Speaking to Polish journalists after the ceremony, Walentynowicz said she was moved to get the honours. "I am happy to be able to take the medal to Poland and present it to the people as a sign that their work, courage and devotion have been appreciated." Walentynowicz, was an activist of the free-union movement in 1970s. In August 1980 she was sacked from the Gdansk Shipyard where she worked from 1950. Her dismissal sparked protests and led to the birth of the Solidarity trade union. |