IRENA KOSMOVA

Irena Kosmowska (1879-1945, folk and educational activist, MP for the Legislative Sejm and 1st and 2nd term. She was the first and only female in the ministerial function in the II Republic. She had the temperament and courage to “pomaj” Piłsudski's regulation to call “governments of the madman”. She was sentenced to six months in prison for this.

Kosmowska besides had a very negative attitude to the deficiency of changes in the Polish countryside, including the deficiency of agricultural reform. A fewer months after the trial, in December 1930, she wrote as “Jasiek of Lipnica”, that is, her pseudonym from the time of the Communist activity from before and during the First WW.

"Today's regulation of cliques, made up of a large number of court sons, which are right to lead, rule, and seize for themselves, thus the material benefits, derive from the fact that ..they were at the army." With them, a close ellipse of all gatherings, calling out loud to each “Lord”: live! And the life of the cluster goes deeper and deeper into misery and humiliation. Natural developmental current is inhibited. The agricultural improvement has already been carried out by all countries created
After the large War, Czech Republic, Romania, Latvia, Estonia. With us, today, it contradicts its request and importance.”

The Kosmowska household had earthly and intelligent roots. Irena Wanda's parent was a social activist, Viktoryn's father a doctor and led a free point for the Warsaw poor. At Kosmowskis there were Peanuts, Prussia, Świętochowski and others. The atmosphere in the Warsaw home and school, which taught her to work at the base, most likely decided on the way of Irena's life. The beginning of its public activity was 1907 and the creation of the folk weekly “Zarań”. She became the editor of the cultural and educational department and the editorial secretary. Its initiative has created additions for agricultural youth “Świt – young people go” and educational “School affairs”. Kosmowska wrote under the pseudonym “Jasiek z Lipnica”. In January 1913, she turned her ideas of educating the villagers into action. She opened agricultural schools for girls in Krasienin, Lublin. Kosmowska chose staff and came from Warsaw to teach, co-created the program. The operation of the facility ceased I WW.

After the outbreak of the war, Kosmowska powerfully advocated the fight for Poland's independence, without any deals with the invaders. She even went against her own father, who was associated with the National Committee of Poland. Sharp statements in “Zarnia” and another writings led to arrest, among others, of Kosmowska. She spent a fewer months in custody in Moscow, bought out by her aunt.
Just before regaining its independence, Kosmowska returned to Poland and to the left-wing community of folk activists, joined the PSL “Deliverance”. In the first People's Government of independent Poland, she received a rainbow of vice minister propaganda and social affairs. She was the only female minister or deputy minister in the 20th interwar period.

Lidia Ciołkosz about Kosmowska's participation in the first government of the reborn Poland – “Only a government born of revolutionary forces in those years could paper its attitude towards the issue of equality of women in Poland. It was at the same time a tribute paid by the first Polish government to all nameless and so many and selfless activists who played a large function in the Polish underground, independency and folk movement."

Kosmowska, as a three-time MP, continued to deal with matters of education. She was on the abroad Affairs Committee, fighting pornography, trafficking in human beings, working on the Cooperatives Act. Its seismic activity ceased to be arrested in September 1930, for naming Piłsudski's regulation as the “governments of the madman” and for saying that his law was “thief, execution and arson.” After a fewer days of trial in Lublin, 6 months of imprisonment were sentenced. In “Robotnik” the editor signed “Former” cried: “What a shame! What a terrible, insane shame!” Here came someone, any horrendous ghost of the tomb's revenge of the Tsar and slammed the thought of the Legions in his face (...) slammed into his face and spit.”
After the verdict was announced, Prime Minister Daszyński sent a message to Lublin prison, with appreciation and solidarity.
“Mrs. Irene! I want with all my heart to join a large number of Poles and Poles who want to express their deep respect and appreciation for her.
at this minute you are not spiritually isolated from people who love freedom and know what moral power the dignity and right of man and citizen is. I hope we can tell you this in individual soon. I hold Panine's hands.”
Kosmowska could read these words on the loose, after the deposit of PLN 500. After the next 2 years needed for appeal and cassation, the conviction was retained, but Kosmowska was pardoned by president Mościcki.

In the 1930s, she continued to operate in the united folk movement. After September 1939, she began working in a conspiracy, helping victims of war and persecution. In July 1942, Gestapo entered her home and although they did not find any incriminating materials, Kosmowska was imprisoned in Pawiak. Interviews, harassment, bad conditions led to a deterioration in her health. From Pawiak she went to prison in Berlin and was besides held in a work camp in Mahlow. Her wellness was getting worse. Kosmowska yet went to 1 of Berlin hospitals but her wellness deteriorated. In addition, during 1 of the Allied raids, she was injured in the leg.
Irena Kosmowska died on 21 August 1945 at Wittenau infirmary in Berlin. In January 1961, her ashes were brought to the country and deposited in Powązki Street.

On December 20, 143 years of birth passed.

The fantasy of Irene Cosmowska can be found here:

https://lewackaszmata.pl/?s=KOSMOWSKA&post_type=product