Alina Pienkowska Polish nurse, dissident, trade unionist and political activist Date of Birth: 12.01.1952 Country: Poland

1. The Gdańsk Shipyard Nurse
2. The "Solidarity" Activist
3. "Saving the Strike"
4. The "Medic of Solidarity"
5. Senator from the Shipyard
6. A Role Model for Women

The Gdańsk Shipyard Nurse

A Polish nurse, dissident, trade unionist, and politician, Alina Pienkowska was an instrumental figure in the Gdańsk Shipyard strike of August 1980, a pivotal event in the rise of the Solidarity movement. Hailing from a working-class family, she witnessed the hardships faced by shipyard workers firsthand.

The "Solidarity" Activist

Pienkowska actively participated in the formation of the Free Trade Union of the Coast, contributing articles on workplace injuries to the union's underground bulletin, Robotnik Wybrzeża. During the Gdańsk Shipyard strike, she played a crucial role in establishing contact with the outside world, organizing calls from the shipyard's clinic. She also participated in negotiations that led to the Gdańsk Agreement, securing the inclusion of a clause on improving working conditions in healthcare.

"Saving the Strike"

On August 16, 1980, Pienkowska played a decisive role in the continuation of the strike. When the strike committee declared an end to the protests, she urged workers to remain on strike, demanding that the government address the demands of all striking enterprises. Her actions were later credited with "saving the strike," leading to a rift with Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa.

The "Medic of Solidarity"

As a Solidarity activist, Pienkowska headed the Gdańsk healthcare trade union department and organized the union's healthcare system. She participated in negotiations with authorities on health-related issues. During martial law, she was interned but remained active in underground structures.

Senator from the Shipyard

After the political transition in the early 1990s, Pienkowska entered politics, joining liberal parties alongside her husband, Bogdan Borusewicz. In 1991, she was elected to the Polish Senate. She also served as a city council member in Gdańsk, focusing on healthcare provision for the shipyard.

A Role Model for Women

Pienkowska's example inspired Lech Wałęsa to reconsider his skepticism towards women in politics. She remains a symbol of the resilience and leadership shown by Polish women during the Solidarity movement.