Beautiful Independence

When the outbreak of the First World War brought a glimmer of hope of Poland regaining statehood, many women became involved in pro-independence groups. They worked as couriers, paramedics and doctors, and disguised themselves as men to fight on the front. The Voluntary Legion of Women was founded in 1918, with members taking part in the Polish-Ukrainian battle of Lwów and later in the Polish-Soviet war. And when Poland needed defending again after 1 September 1939, women worked in underground movements alongside men. The exhibition Beautiful Independence, held at the Home Army Museum from 9 March as part of Kraków’s celebrations of the centenary of Poland’s independence, focuses on women who took part in both world wars, and social, political and cultural activists during the interwar period. The female aspects of the war and the struggle for independent Poland are shown through archive photos and memorabilia of the period. (dd)