Ludwika Wawrzyńska (Polish pronunciation: [luˈdvika vaˈvʐɨj̃ska]; 1908–1955) was a Polish teacher who worked at an elementary school in Warsaw. On February 8, 1955 she rescued four children from a burning house where they had been locked by their parents as they were leaving for work. She died ten days later, on February 18, from severe burns.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2009) |
Wawrzyńska acquired a hero status in Poland and became a symbol of selfless sacrifice. She was awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. Wisława Szymborska and Leopold Staff wrote poems in her praise.[1] Several schools in Poland are named after her.
References edit
- ^ Szymborska, Wislawa (1989). "A Minute of Silence For Ludwika Wawrzynska" (PDF). Marek Lugowski and Joanna Trzeciak (translation). p. 32. Translation of "Minuta ciszy po Ludwice Wawrzyńskiej".
  | This Polish biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |