Barbara Gronet
Barbara Gronet, photography by Tomek Zerek
Barbara Gronet was born in 1955 in Hamtramck. Her grandparents on both sides came here from Poland. Barbara Gronet was raised in a very Polish atmosphere – in the Gronet's house they spoke only Polish. She visited her grandparent's house for the first time when she was 9.
From an early age, Barbara Gronet was associated with "Mlody Teatr" [Young Theatre], an artistic group for children of Polonia, where they learned how to dance Polish folk dances. Currently, she is the deputy president of the Polish-American Central Citizens Committee, an organisation that supports and promotes the activities of the American Polonia in favour of the United States and Poland.
Interviewed by Anna Muller on 19 August 2015 in Hamtramck.
interview excerpts
Hamtramck in the past
All the time in Polish
>>> Read the transcription
>>> Read the transcription
Galicja Band
>>> Read the transcription
>>> Read the transcription
"No one can tell me that I am not Polish"
>>> Read the transcription
>>> Read the transcription
Polish American
>>> Read the transcription
>>> Read the transcription
gallery
Barbara Gronet's mother with her father Stefan Rochlicki on her wedding day, Hamtramck, 1955, from the private archives
The wedding day of Barbara Gronet's parents, Hamtramck, 1955, from the private archives
Barbara Gronet's mother with her mother Janina Rochlicka on her wedding day, Hamtramck, 1955, from the private archives
Barbara Gronet's mother with her father Stefan Rochlicki on her wedding day, Hamtramck, 1955, from the private archives
Barbara Gronet's mother with her mother Janina Rochlicka on her wedding day, Hamtramck, 1955, from the private archives
Newly born Barbara Gronet with her parents, Hamtramck, 1955, from the private archives
Barbara Gronet, from the private archives
Barbara Gronet with her mother, from the private archives
Barbara Gronet, from the private archives
Barbara Gronet, from the private archives
Barbara Gronet, from the private archives
"Młody Teatr" group where Barbara Gronet was performing (standing fourth from the left). "Mały Teatr" was a group of children, the youngest aged four, where they were learning Poli
Barbara Gronet (on the right) with her sister, from the private archives
Barbara Gronet in a traditional Krakow clothing, from the private archives
Barbara Gronet (first from the left) with her sister (in the middle before the performance of "Mały Teatr", from the private archives
Barbara Gronet with her sister, from the private archives