Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and the Alliance of Polish Clubs USA will host a special event honoring Polish American Heritage Month by unveiling the first-ever U.S. showing of the “Different Faces of Solidarity” photography exhibit by acclaimed Polish photojournalist Wieslaw Debicki.

The exhibit, on loan from the Solidarność Museum in Poland, captures the powerful legacy of the Solidarity movement—a pivotal force that helped topple Communism in Poland and Eastern Europe.

The unveiling will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Cook County Treasurer’s Office, 118 N. Clark Street, Room 112, Chicago, IL. Treasurer Pappas will be joined by Members of the Alliance and Deputy Consuls General from the Polish Consulate.

Forty-five years ago, a workers’ strike in a Polish shipyard sparked a national movement for better pay, safer working conditions, and political freedom.

Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia

That movement—Solidarity—grew to more than 10 million people and became a symbol of hope and resistance. Members of the movement say they were galvanized by the powerful images captured by Debicki who meticulously documented the human faces behind the history. This exhibit of the late photojournalist’s work is being displayed outside Poland for the first time.

“Polish Americans have helped shape the very heart and soul of Chicago,” said Pappas. “Their contributions—from building our neighborhoods to advancing our culture, business, and public life—are woven into the fabric of our city. As we celebrate Polish American Heritage Month, it’s an honor to pay tribute to the strength, resilience, and enduring spirit of the Solidarity movement and the Polish community here and abroad.”

As part of the celebration, Treasurer Pappas will recognize several visiting dignitaries from Poland and members of Cook County’s 400,000 strong Polish American community for their outstanding contributions to the city.

Honorees include Kazimierz Kimso, Solidarity Trade Union leader, Dr. Tomasz Wojcik, Former Polish Parliament member, Andrzej Janusz Jerie, journalist & documentary producer, Kinga Modjeska, CEO Polonia Stage Theater, Monica Lebenstejn, Polish Youth Association Director, Marianna Mosz, 2023 parade queen.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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