Giving back runs in family,
heritage for local woman
By jennifer dome
Staff Writer
CHRIS KELLY South River resident Dorothy Sowchuk was part of a movement recently to secure medical supplies for a needy hospital in Legnica, Poland.
Determination has gone a long way in Dorothy Sowchuk’s life. She credits that to her Polish heritage and her mother, who she said encouraged her to embrace her heritage.
Sowchuk, 74, was born in Trenton but moved to South River after she married her husband in the 1950s. Throughout her life Sowchuk, who is known as "Dottie," has dedicated her time and energy to Polish-American culture and needs.
Her parents, Michael and Mary Maziarz, were born in Poland and came to the United States in the early 1910s. Sowchuk was the youngest of six siblings who could all speak, write and read Polish. However, she refused to learn the language for some time.
"I did not speak Polish because I wanted to speak English only," Sowchuk said. "Naturally, mom stressed the fact that our heritage and culture was Polish, so she wanted [my siblings and I] to speak Polish. I used to say, ‘Well, I wasn’t born in Poland and I don’t have to speak Polish.’"
One day her mother refused to speak to her until she learned Polish. Slowly, Sowchuk said, she relented and began learning the language from her brothers and sisters. She has even passed the skill onto her own daughter, Johnatha, who spoke Polish often when Sowchuk’s parents were alive.
The ability to speak the language of her parents’ homeland has proved a fruitful skill. Not only does Sowchuk serve as the vice president of the state chapter of the Polish-American Congress, but she has belonged to many Polish organizations.
During a recent trip to Poland, Sowchuk learned that many hospitals and orphanages are in dire need of supplies that many American hospitals take for granted.
"Poland is in need of many, many things. [It] does not have the moneys that are needed for hospitals and for funding even children’s orphanages," Sowchuk said.
With the help of her friend Maria Radzewicz, whose niece works in a hospital in Poland, Sowchuk secured four pallets of rubber gloves to donate to Emergency Medical Services in Legnica, Poland.
"It took time to have this done," she said.
Sowchuk said the donation was made possible thanks to state Assemblyman and Sayreville resident John Wisniewski, who met with Michael Mischysyn, president of Ameriglo Products, South Brunswick, to discuss the donation.
Ludwig Wnekowicz of DOMA Export in Linden is shipping the gloves to Poland, according to Wisniewski’s office.
Sowchuk said that many people do not realize that Poland is a poor country. She said that although the country, which she refers to as "she," has been free for almost 20 years. The affects of communism will take a long time to overcome, she said.
"Undoubtedly, when you change a government, it takes a lot of years for things to improve," Sowchuk said.
Nevertheless, Poland is a country rich in cultural heritage, Sowchuk said. She, herself, has been involved with bringing Polish bands, dance groups and other cultural groups to the United States.
Each year, Polish entertainers perform at the Polish Festival at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel — an event Sowchuk has chaired twice in the past.
She has spent her life working to help people in general. During World War II, she was a member of the civil defense and helped during air raid drills to communicate with people who only spoke Polish.
Her husband, John, who passed away in 1999 at age 84, also had a flair for the Polish language. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as a translator. Besides Polish and English, he spoke Ukrainian, Russian, French and German.
Through all her efforts, Sowchuck’s mother’s wisdom rings true. One example is the Polish Christmas Eve tradition that was handed down to her by her mother. Sowchuk said that each Dec. 24, dinner is served at the sight of the first star in the sky. A chair at the table is left empty in case anyone in need knocks on the door and needs a meal, Sowchuk said.
"Needy people were banging on our door many, many times in Trenton. And my mother was very gracious; she was always one that gave," Sowchuk said.
One of the most important lessons that Sowchuk said she has carried on from her parents is that it does not take money to help people.
"It’s very important to me to be a part of the community," Sowchuk said. "Maybe I can’t give money that is needed, but I can give of myself."