I am very happy to address all of this year's nominees — women who are exceptional, strong, smart and working for others. I am also pleased that several hundred applications have been submitted this year. This is proof that the Warsaw Woman of the Year plebiscite is becoming more and more popular — said Rafał Trzaskowski, President of the City of Warsaw. — We live in difficult times, when women again have to fight for their fundamental rights: to decide about their life and health. Therefore, all the more we should help them and do everything so that Warsaw is not only smiling and tolerant, but also constantly sets a good example of how to be a city of equal opportunities,” the president added.

The Warsaw Woman of the Year plebiscite is an expression of recognition for women who, through their professional or social work, particularly contribute to the spread of values such as tolerance, Europeanness or diversity, but also work for the benefit of the local and global community. In previous years, its laureates were: Irena Sendlerowa, Anna Ojer, Nicole Sochacki-Wójcicka, Krystyna Janda, Wanda Traczyk-Stawska and Małgorzata Szumowska.

Today it is women who show us that we need to be bolder to change the world around us. Together with the Social Council of Culture over the past few years we have really touched every element of the life and functioning of the city when it comes to women's rights. From the wage gap and equal access to positions in the city, to support in the case of domestic violence — said Aldona Machnowska-Góra, Deputy President of the City of Warsaw. I'm looking forward to the results of the poll,” she added.

Thank you very much to the chapter, because I know how difficult it is to choose only ten among hundreds of wonderful women from Warsaw. Every year we are surprised by the exemplary attitude of women who do so much for Warsaw. For me personally, the most important thing is that each of them, apart from social activity, shows first of all the beauty of the soul, empathy and sensitivity to the other person. I congratulate all the nominees very much — said Renata Kaznowska, Deputy President of the City of Warsaw.

Nominated for the title of Warsaw Woman of the Year 2023

This year the jury of the competition consists of: Ewa Malinowska-Grupińska, Beata Michalec, Piotr Jacoń, Piotr Kędzierski, Anna Maruszeczko, Ewelina Negowetti, Paulina Przybysz, Bogumiła Siedlecka-Goślicka, Małgorzata Szumowska, Anna Tatarska, Monika Tutak-Goll, Bianka Zalewska nominated for the title of Warsaw Woman of the Year 2023:

• Krystyna Budnicka Since 1991 she has been a member of the Association of Children of the Holocaust in Poland. As a witness to history, he constantly meets with young people both in Poland and Germany, telling about his experiences
• Zofia Czekalska — she came to Warsaw during the German occupation. In the Home Army, during the Warsaw Uprising, she served as liaison to the Central Pharmacy Store. She was awarded the Golden Cross of Merit by the President of the Republic of Poland
• Marzena Debska — specialist in the field of obstetrics and gynecology and perinatology. In the years 2016 - 2019, she served as the president of the Warsaw Branch of the Society of Perinatal Medicine. Actively participates in the public debate on the organization of perinatal care and women's rights, always standing up for them
• Kamila Ferenc — advocate, lawyer and program consultant at the Foundation for Women and Family Planning FEDERA. Co-founder of the Foundation Against the Culture of Rape and the socially committed law firm Prawo do Prawa. In her professional work, she focuses on women's rights, prevention of violence and discrimination, and social justice
• Sylvia Gregorczyk-Abram — Advocate and social activist. She is involved in non-governmental organizations working to protect the justice system and human rights. Co-founder of the #WolneSądy initiative and the Committee for the Defence of Justice
• Dr. Katarzyna Kasia — philosopher, graduate of the Faculty of Philosophy and Sociology of the University of Warsaw, scholarship holder of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic, The Kościuszko Foundation and Princeton University
• Dr. Hanna Machińska — lawyer and social activist with an extremely rich experience in the implementation of European legal standards in Polish law, including in the field of human rights protection and anti-discrimination law
• Katarzyna Nicewicz — educator and graphic designer by education, president of the Daj Herbata Foundation on a daily basis. She has been working with people experiencing homelessness for over 11 years. Leading the organization focuses on comprehensive assistance and innovative solutions
• Agnieszka Szpila — writer, ecofeminist, cultural scientist and activist. In her books and texts, she deals mainly with topics related to people who are discriminated against, including minorities, with a special focus on people with disabilities
• Justyna Wydrzyńska — abortion activist, abortion doula, chemist, and since 2006 she has been involved in increasing access to abortion. Co-founder of Abortion Dream Team, member of Abortion Without Borders network and mother of three children.

Varsovians can vote in the plebiscite electronically or by paper from 25 September to 10 November. Detailed information is available at: warsawankaroku.um.waraza.pl. The results of the vote will be announced during the gala, which is scheduled for November.

Source: https://um.warszawa.pl/-/kto-zostanie-warszawianka-roku-2023 -