Polish Military Nurse Honored by State Department

7 May 2008

Sergeant Grodzka and Ambassador Ashe (more photos)

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe honored Sergeant Elzbieta Grodzka, Staff Nurse, 2nd Field Hospital, Polish Land Forces, as Poland's nomination for the Secretary of State’s 2008 Award for International Women of Courage during a luncheon at this residence on May 8, 2008. During this luncheon, Ambassador Ashe congratulated Sergeant Grodzka in a short speech and presented her with a certificate and glass plaque. Brigadier General Przekwas representing the General Staff also spoke at the luncheon congratulating Grodzka for her courage and leadership in her work in Iraq and Poland.

Sergeant Grodzka joins a small group of women worldwide nominated for their leadership and courage. She voluntarily deployed four times to war-torn Iraq to not only serve her own country, but also to assist the Iraqi people on their journey to freedom and democracy. Serving as a Staff Nurse with the 2nd Field Hospital, Sergeant Grodzka repeatedly demonstrated exceptional courage while serving in Iraq defending freedom and democracy from the threat of terrorism. During her first tour of combat in Iraq, she was involved in an accident in which she herself was wounded. Despite these wounds, she maintained her composure and proceeded immediately to help those more seriously injured.

She is also committed to improving the image of women within the Polish military, who continue to struggle for recognition. There are approximately 1,000 women in the Polish military, an armed force of around 100,000 soldiers; this is the highest number of women soldiers in post-WWII Polish history. For her outstanding performance, the 2nd Field Hospital Commandant has recommended her for an officers course in order to become the Assistant Hospital Commandant for Nurses. Like many other contemporary women, Sergeant Grodzka combines a challenging career with being both a wife and mother. She was born in Stargard Szczecinski and then moved with her parents to Radom. At present she lives in Opole, the hometown of her husband who is an electrician. They have two daughters who are 16 and 11 years old.

Around the world, there are women who endure ridicule, intimidation and even bodily injury to protect the ideals of individual dignity, liberty and equality. To recognize these brave women, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice inaugurated in 2007 the "International Women of Courage Award." In 2008, eight outstanding women were honored with the award. More than 90 notable women, however, were nominated.