Swastek Prize
The Joseph Swastek Prize is awarded annually for the best article published during the previous year in a given volume of Polish American Studies, the journal of the Polish American Historical Association. This award, established in 1981, is named in honor of Rev. Joseph V. Swastek (1913-1977), the editor of Polish American Studies for many years, and a past president of the Polish American Historical Association. The 2019 Swastek Prize recognizes articles published in 2018 and consists of a certificate and a cash award.
2023 - JAMES S. PULA
The Editorial Board members of Polish American Studies awarded the Swastek Prize for volume 80 (2023) to James S. Pula for his article: "The Causes and Characteristics of Polish Immigration to the United States: A Review of Research," (Polish American Studies 80, no. 1). Pula's article was found an authoritative, comprehensive, and clearly written overview of the history of Polish migration to the United States. The author has succeeded in building a coherent narrative while statistical data gives a sense of scope and scale of the process of Polonia’s formation but does not overwhelm the story. This study has potential to become a foundation for future research and to supersede the earlier similar attempts, now badly outdated.
2022 - ANNA MULLER
The Editorial Board members of Polish American Studies awarded the Swastek Prize for volume 79 (2022) to Anna Muller for her article “The People of Hamtramck: Some Reflections on Belonging, Agency, and Being Polish American” (Polish American Studies vol. 79, no. 2). As one of the editors wrote, “This work integrates insightful interviews, captivating photographs, and an engagement with theoretical currents in the study of Polish Americans and of ethnic groups more broadly. Müller devotes attention to the impact of developments in Poland that shaped the worldview of migrants, then she maps those against generational experiences in Hamtramck. By adopting “tangible belonging” as a theoretical model, she brings some of the other articles in that issue into focus as well.” The article was accompanied by evocative photographs by Tomek Zerek.
2021 (awarded in 2022) - KAREN MAJEWSKI
The Editorial Board members of Polish American Studies awarded the Swastek Prize for volume 78 (2021) to Karen Majewski for her article “Abortion and Infanticide in Polish American Detroit and Hamtramck, 1900-1960: A Preliminary Look” (vol. 78, no. 1, Spring 2021). Majewski’s article was commended for its unique use of data, new primary sources, and most importantly for addressing an important, timely and hitherto unaddressed and taboo topics in Polonia and Polonia studies. It was described as pathbreaking and courageous. Majewski’s findings, as suggested in the conclusion of the article, are significant for Polish American history, but also contribute to understanding of historical issues of gender in general.
2020 - no award
The Editorial Board members of Polish American Studies did not award the Swastek Prize for volume 77 (2020).
2019 (awarded in 2020)- JOSHUA C. BLANK
The Editorial Board members of Polish American Studies decided to award the 2019 Swastek Prize for the best article in Polish American Studies volume 76 to Joshua C. Blank for his article “Stills in the Hills: Moonshine Memories from around Canada’s First Polish Kashub Community” (76, no. 1, Spring 2019). According to the editors, Blank’s essay engages in meaningful scholarship in the area of food studies, examining the formation of ethnicity through the lens of consumption, while highlighting an understudied experience of Canadian Kashubs. The author combines anthropological and historical research to present a topic of important social and cultural consequences in the Diaspora.
2018 (2019) - STEPHEN M. LEAHY
Stephen M. Leahy’s article “George Wallace and the Myth of the White Ethnic Backlash in Milwaukee, 1958-1964” (PAS 75, no. 2, Autumn 2018) has been selected for the Swastek Award for the best article in the 2018 volume of Polish American Studies. Leahy's article is a timely and careful analysis of the heated political atmosphere during the Civil Rights era. Leahy effectively questions the sweeping thesis that working-class Polish Americans were particularly receptive to Wallace's racist message in Milwaukee, WI. Leahy’s article is a fine example of meticulous research, which challenges a long-established opinion by cross-checking and triangulating a variety of sources. It offers a compelling political microhistory and it should have an impact on the historiography of race relations in twentieth-century America.
2017 (2018) - NEAL PEASE
Prof. Neal Pease
The PAS Editorial Board has decided to award the Swastek Prize to “Mighty Son of Poland: Stanislaus Zbyszko, Polish Americans, and Sport in the 20thCentury,” by Prof. Neal Pease, PAS, 74/1 (2017): 7-26. This well-written and well- organized study of professional wrestler Stanislaus Zbyszko (Jan Stanislaw Cyganiewicz) makes a persuasive argument based on extensive use of primary resources.
2016 (2017) - MARTA CIESLAK
Dr. Marta Cieslak accepts her Swastek Prize from Dr. Anna Mazurkiewicz. Photo by Marcin Szerle.
For the Swastek Prize for the best article in volume 73 (2016) of Polish American Studies, the Editorial Board nominated Marta Cieślak's "Crossing the Boundaries of Modernity: The Post-Abolition Journey of Polish Peasants to the United States." As some of the board members noted, this original piece is based on the author's 2014 dissertation and does not only reflect extensive archival research but also a thorough understanding of the social and economic conditions in mid-19th century Poland, of the transatlantic migration, and the social and economic situation of emancipated slaves in the postbellum South. Cieślak's argument is original and compelling, and constitutes a historiographically significant project.
2015 (2016) - Paweł Ziętara of Warsaw, Poland, “Troubles with ‘Mela’: A Polish American Reporter, the Secret Services of People’s Poland, and the FBI” (PAS 72, No 1, Spring 2015).
The Editorial Board of the Polish American Studies stated: "Prof. Zietara’s article assembles massive, painstaking research and presents a portrait of communist activity in the USA in the postwar period that is not well known. It brings to light a subject both significant and fascinating, and is based almost entirely on original archival sources."
2014 (2015) - Lori A. Matten. "Scouting for Identity: Recruiting Daughters to Save the Traditional Polish Family During the Interwar Years" (PAS 71/1, Spring 2014).
The PAS Board stated: "The author presents sound exploration of the history and formation of Polish American organizations conceptualized by questions of gender and ethnicity. She skillfully examines understudied processes of identity transformations and assimilation of the second generation in the interwar period, as observed through the lens of gender distinctions present in the Polish scouting organizations in the United States. The article is well contextualized and makes good use of both primary and secondary sources. It can be used in any classroom to foster discussion on U.S. history, Polonia history, and gender relations in ethnic communities."
2013 (2014) - Leon Kurdek, "The Real-Life Story Behind -Call Northside 777: The Crime, the Conviction, and the Search for Justice" Polish American Studies, Vol. 70, no. 2 (Autumn 2013): 5-78.
“The subject matter is important given the prominence of the Hollywood movie, its influence on how Polish Americans are viewed, and the many Polish American aspects that were left out of the film. The editors consider it a meticulously researched reconstruction of a story with compelling human interest which also deals with the interplay of life with art and Hollywood’s depiction of Polish Americans. A very detailed piece of detective work, it holds the interest of readers from start to finish, is clearly written, and raises a number of very serious and provocative questions about the character of American justice and the consequences of injustice as experienced by a family of poor, working class Polish Americans during the worst times of the Great Depression—a topic that has implications for all disadvantaged peoples. The treatment is objective, with ample evidence provided to support its assertions. The article brought to light an important chapter in Polish American history that had been largely forgotten even within Polonia."
2012 (2013) - Anna Mazurkiewicz, "'Join, or Die'--The Road to Cooperation Among East European Exiled Political Leaders in the United States, 1949-1954," Vol. 69, No.2 (Autumn 2012). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/poliamerstud.69.2.0005
2011 (2012) - Myron Momryk, "Ignacy Witcza's Passport, Soviet Espionage, and the Origins of the Cold War in Canada," Vol.68, No. 2 (Autumn 2011). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/23075179
2010 (2011) - Robert Szymczak, "Cold War Crusader: Arthur Bliss Lane and the Private Committee to Investigate the Katyn Massacre, 1949-1952," Vol. 6, No. 2 (Autumn 2010). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/41162458
2009 (2010) - Suzanne M. Zukowski, "From Peasant to Proletarian: Home Ownership in Milwaukee's Polonia" Vol. 66, No. 2 (Autumn 2009). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/25594426
2008 - no award conferred in 2009
2007 (2008) - Iwona Drag Korga, "The Information Policy of the Polish Government-in-Exile toward the American Public During World War II" Vol. 64, No. 1 (Spring 2007). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148761
2006 (2007) - Maja Trochimczyk, "The Impact of Mazowsze and Slask on Polish Folk Dancing in California," Vol. 63, No. 1 (Spring 2006). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148738
2005 (2006) - Adam Walaszek, "Tomasz Siemiradzki: An Intellectual in Ethnic Politics," Vol. 62, No. 2 (Autumn 2005). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148727
2004 (2005) - Neal Pease, “The Kosciuszko Reds, 1909-1919: Kings of the Milwaukee Sandlots," Vol. 61, No. 1 (Spring 2004). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148690
2003 (2004) - Ann Hetzel Gunkel, “The Sacred in the City: Polonian Street Processions as Countercultural Practice," Vol. 60, No. 2 (Autumn 2003). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148668
2002 (2003) - Stanislaus A. Blejwas, “American Polonia and the School Strike in Wrzesnia," Vol. 59, No. 1 (Spring 2002). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148625
2001 (2002) - Anna Jaroszynska-Kirchmann, "The Mobilization of American Polonia for the Cause of the Displaced Persons," Vol. 58, No. 1 (Spring 2001). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148599
2000 (2001) - Anna Jaroszyńska-Kirchmann, "The Polish Post-World War II Diaspora: An Agenda for a New Millenium," Vol. 57, No. 2 (Autumn 2000). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148590
1999 (2000) - Timothy G. Borden, "The Salvation of the Poles: Working Class Ethnicity and Americanization Efforts During the Interwar Period in Toledo, Ohio" Vol. 56, No. 2 (Autumn 1999) Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148566
1998 (1999) - Stanislaus A. Blejwas, "The Republic of Poland and the Origins of the Polish American Congress," Vol. 55, No. 1 (Spring 1998). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148529
1997 (1998) - Francis C. Kajencki, "Kosciuszko's Role in the Siege of Ninety-Six," Vol. 54, No. 2 (Autumn 1997). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148519
1996 (1997) - Celia Berdes and Adam Zych, "The Quality of Life of Polish Immigrant and Polish American Ethnic Elderly," Vol. 53, No.1 (Spring 1996). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148481
1995 (1996) - John Radziłowski, "The Other Side of Chicago: The Poles of Arizona" Vol. 52, No. 2 (Autumn 1995). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148469
1994 (1995) - Robert D. Ubriaco, Jr., "Bread and Butter Politics or Foreign Policy Concerns? Class Versus Ethnicity in the Midwestern Polish American Community During the 1946 Congressional Elections," Vol. 51, No. 2 (Autumn 1994). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148441
1993 (1994) - Stanislaus A. Blejwas, "Stanislaw Osada: Immigrant Nationalist," Vol. 50, No. 1 (Spring 1993). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148403
1992 (1993) - Adam Walaszek, "How Could It All Appear So Rosy?--- Re-emigrants from the United States in Poland, 1919-1924" Vol. 49, No. 2 (Autumn 1992) Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148389
1991 (1992) - John Radzilowski, "One Community, One Church, Two Towns: The Poles of Southwestern Minnesota, 1882-1905" Vol. 48, No. 2 (Autumn 1991). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148360
1990 (1991) - William J. Galush, "Purity and Power: Chicago Polonian Feminists, 1880-1914," Vol. 47, No. 1 (Spring 1990) Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148315
1989 (1990) - Marcin Kula, "Those Who Failed to Reach the United States: Polish Proletarians in Cuba During The Interwar Period," Vol. 46, No. 1 (Spring 1989) Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148280
1988 (1989) - Mary E. Cygan, "A New Art for Polonia: Polish American Radio Comedy During the 1930s," Vol. 45, No. 2 (Autumn 1988). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148258
1987 (1988) - Anthony J. Kuzniewski, "Jestesmy Polakami': Wenceslaus Kruszka and the Value of America's Polish Heritage" Vol. 44, No. 2 (Autumn 1987). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148240
1986 (1987) - David G. Januszewski, "The Case of the Polish Exile Government in the American Press, 1939-1945" Vol. 43, No. 1 (Spring 1986). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148190
1985 (1986) - Stanislaus A. Blejwas, "Puritans and Poles: The New England Literary Image of the Polish Peasant Immigrant" Vol. 42, No. 2 (Autumn 1985). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148179
1984 (1985) - John J. Bukowczyk, "Polish Rural Culture and Immigrant Working Class Formation, 1880-1914" Vol. 41, No. 2 (Autumn 1984) Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148154
1983 (1984) - Stanley L. Cuba, "Reverend Anthony Klawiter: Polish Roman and National Catholic Builder-Priest" Vol. 40, No. 2 (Autumn 1983). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148133
1982 - no award conferred in 1983
1981 (1982) - Stanislaus A. Blejwas, "Old and New Polonias: Tensions Within an Ethnic Community" Vol. 38, No. 2 (Autumn 1981). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148080
1980 (1981) - Daniel S. Buczek, "Ethnic to American: Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Stamford, Connecticut," Vol. 37, No. 2 (Autumn 1980). Article JSTOR URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20148049
