The Professional & Business Women of Polonia, also known as PBW, was created to enhance the status

and image of Polish-American professional  and business women, to network, and to become a force in the community.

Witamy!

President
Christine Kibler

Vice President
JoAnn Lewandowski

Treasurer

Theresa Tucholski

President Ex Officio
Renee Harzewski

Executive Board
Mary Domanski

Diana Marciniak
Pat Greiner

Professional

& Business

Women of Polonia’s

Current Officers

Secretary
Barbara Wetzel

Treasurer

Theresa Tucholski

Executive Board
Mary Domanski

Pat Greiner

Dawn Myszka

President Ex Officio
Renee Harzewski

MEETING NOTICE

by Dawn Myszka

In 1993, when Matthew Pelczynski, president of Buffalo Standard Printing Corp and founder and publisher of the Am-Pol Eagle newspaper died, Renee Harzewski, who had been with the Am-Pol Eagle since its beginning, was at a crossroads. She had a choice – purchase the company to enable the Am-Pol Eagle to continue or leave the company and find another job.

Harzewski chose to continue Matthew's vision and purchased the company. In the ensuing years she learned that it was not easy to  run a newspaper.

"The reason I started it [PBW],  was I was overwhelmed in a male- dominated business world and I started the women's organization for moral support," said Harzewski.

Two gentlemen friends suggested that she form a women's group. Renee gave that some thought and reached out to fellow Polish professional business women.  

"I was amazed at how many women joined me to work together to better the community," Harzewski said.

On Nov. 29, 1994, Harzewski called to order the very first meeting of the Professional and Business Women of Polonia (PBW). The meeting  was held in the community room at St. Joseph's Hospital bringing Polish-American professional and business women together for support, promotion and networking. There was no women's organization of its kind in Buffalo that promoted Polish-American women.

Thirty years later, the PBW of Polonia is still going. On Sept. 17, 2024, PBW members and guests gathered to celebrate the organization’s 30th anniversary at Samuel's Grande Manor in Williamsville. The wonderful event was attended by PBW members, guests and  representatives from other Polish organizations.

Current PBW president, Christine Lukaszewicz Kibler, in her opening remarks, thanked PBW member Sr. Mary Johnice Rzadkiewicz for graciously saying the dinner prayer before PBW meetings through the years.

Past PBW presidents,  Bette Hulley  and Anne Kiss, reflected on how they each became involved with the PBW of Polonia.

From 1994 until 2001, Harzewski held the position as president of the PBW.  In 2002, she passed the torch to Donna Kaminski. In 2003, Bette Hulley was elected president. Anne Kiss took over as president from 2004 to 2005. Since 2006, Christine Lukaszewicz Kibler has been president.

PBW strives to promote Polish heritage through its meetings, networking and guest speakers. Members are Polish-American women from many different backgrounds – entrepreneurs, teachers, social workers, health care, legal and financial fields, and retired professionals.

Since 1997, PBW has been awarding annual scholarships to Polish-American women enrolled in a college or university to help further their studies.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a  member or attending one of our dinner meetings, visit: www.pbwofpolonia.com or send us an email at:  pbwofpolonia @gmail.com for more information.

Pol-Am women mark 30th anniversary of  PBW

Photos by Peter Sloane / Am-Pol Eagle