The character of Ewelina (Elina) Pepłowska, although somewhat forgotten in the general historical consciousness, deserves peculiar attention as an example of a female engaged politically, socially and ideologically in the most hard moments of Polish history.
Born on 10 January 1887 in Kiev, she died on 19 January 1969 in Wejherów, Throughout her life, Pepłowska has worked for independence, patriotism, improvement of civilian society and defence of national values. Her biography is an example of a consistent combination of ideas and practice, as well as an example of how women could play a large function in the public life of the Second Republic, even though they functioned in a structure dominated by men.
The starting point for knowing the function of Pepłowska is to look not only at her parliamentary activities, but besides at earlier educational and social activity, as well as engagement in the war and post-war period. Thanks to the preserved sources – both archival and publicist – it is possible to trace the life way of this extraordinary female and effort to measure its importance in a broader political and historical context.
From youthful ideals to political commitment
Ewelina Pepłowska was a native of the Earth family. Her father – Walery Furs-Żyrkiewicz – was a general of the army of the Russian Empire, and her parent – Janina of Bobinski, ps. “Hanna Krzemienicka” – was a literary scholar. The household background provided her with good education and introduction into the planet of culture, but besides exposed her to the different ideologies and realities of the Czarski empire. She began her education at the Warsaw mediate School and the wage of Jadwiga Sikorska, and continued her education in Lviv, at the University of Franciscans (the Faculty of doctrine or Philology), as well as at the Paris Sorbonne.
Already in her youth, her integrity and organizational sense were revealed – during the revolution of 1905 she was co-organizer of the school strike, making her flat available for the purposes of the Strike Committee. For her activities she was arrested by the Tsarian authorities, which resulted in a judgement ordering her to leave the Kingdom of Poland. She went to Lviv, where she joined the independency activity of “Zarzewie”.
Peplowska's activities during the First planet War and just after its completion took on an even greater dimension. She participated in the creation of the Polish safety Committee for the POWs, was active in Kole Polek and organized a military canteen for the 4th Infantry Division. This phase can be regarded as shaping her political beliefs – it combined concern for soldiers' fate, strong attachment to national values and applicable ability to manage organizational structures.
Political and Ideas Activities in the II Republic of Poland
After regaining independence, Pepłowska became active with the environment of National Democracy. She was peculiarly active in the structures of the National Women's Organization (NOK), in which she dealt with the integration of various women's communities in the spirit of the ideology of the National Party. Together with Alicja Czarlińska and Józefa Szebeko, she created the alleged Committee of Three, whose task was to harmonise patriotic and educational activities among women.
She played a peculiar function as the organizer of the Alliance of Organizations for Combating Communism – she was its president from 1933 to 1936. At the time, she gained her reputation as an implacable anti-communist. In 1928 she became a associate of the Organizational Committee of the National Party. During the same period, she served as Vice-President of the Polish Association of Municipal Property Associations and then the global Association of Municipal Property Owners in Paris. In 1936, she organized the prestigious 10th global legislature of Property.
In the 3rd Parliament (1930–1935) Pepłowska was actively active in the work of the Committee on Budgets. Her main interests focused on taxation, inheritance taxation, private property protection and the municipal economy. She was the initiator of the Act on the protection of tenants, and besides spoke on respective occasions in debates on property tax, stamp supplements and changes in inheritance law.
Her public activity was no little important. Pepłowska published articles in “Warsaw Gazette” and in the periodical “Fighting with Bolshevism”. She took on the subject of the end, pointing to the request to cultivate Polishness in east areas and highlighting the function of young people as guardians of national identity. The patriotic upbringing of young people was viewed as a key area in the fight against alien ideology.
Woman in the service of the nation – social, organizer, teacher
In parallel with the parliamentary activity of Pepłowska, she actively acted in the region of Białystok. Together with local activists she conducted readings, political conferences and educational meetings, mainly in parish houses and associations' headquarters. She paid peculiar attention to educating women in a spirit of citizenship and patriotism.
In her speeches she stressed that both married women and virgins are Polish citizens and should participate in political life. According to her, women had an work not only to support the state but besides to co-shape national policies. She argued that political awareness of women would let them to rise their children better and support their husbands in civic activities. This approach brought Peplowski closer to the thought of national feminism – different from liberal trends, but powerfully accentuating women's activity.
During planet War II Pepłowska did not suspend her activities. She collaborated with the Government Delegation to the country, sold underground writings, including “Warsaw National Voice”, and continued conspiracy activities within the National Women's Organization. After the war, she taught English and French in advanced schools in Piotrków and Sopot, giving the young generation the cognition and values she represented.
Heritage and relevance to modern times
Ewelina Pepłowska was 1 of those women who not only entered past but actively created it. Her résumé shows how diverse and effective forms of activity can take on women's actions in public life – from parliamentary, social, to education and conspiracy.
Modern reflection on Pepłowska can inspire debates on the function of women in politics, the protection of national values, civic upbringing of young people and the relation between ideas and practice in public life. Its consistent anti-communism, attachment to private property and patriotism are values that besides present matter. Despite the passing of years, Ewelina Pepłowska remains a model of civic commitment, industriousness and courage. Her life – full of activity, intellect, strength of spirit and work – shows that even in hard times 1 can stay faithful to one's beliefs and service the nation in various roles.
Kamila Firlej
