Janina Ochojska


Janina Maria Ochojska-Okońska (born 12 March 1955) is a Polish astronomer, humanitarian and social activist, who served as a Member of the European Parliament (2019–present). She is founder and director of the Polish Humanitarian Action (1992–present).

Janina Ochojska

MEP
Member of the European Parliament
for Pomeranian
Assumed office
2 July 2019
Personal details
Born
Janina Ochojska

(1955-03-12) 12 March 1955
Gdańsk, Poland
Political partyCivic Platform
Spouse(s)
Michał Okoński
​
(
m. 1996; div. 2005)
Alma materNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń

Life

She graduated from High School No. 1 in Zabrze.[1] In 1980, she graduated in astronomy from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, until 1984 she worked at the Astrophysics Laboratory at the Polish Academy of Sciences in the Nicholas Copernicus Astronomical Center in Torun. As a student she was active in the Academic Ministry... From the late 1970s, she was associated with the democratic opposition; she cooperated with the independent Social Library of Antoni Stawikowski. She joined "Solidarity", after the introduction of martial law engaged in the distribution of underground publications, as well as the activities of the local committee dealing with the assistance of victims of repression and their families.[2]

She was disabled from early childhood (Polio). As she mentions, she owes acceptance of her disability to a stay at the Treatment and Education Center for the Children of Kalki, led by doctor Lech Wierusz.[3] In 1984, she went to France for surgery. There she came across the idea of humanitarian aid. As a volunteer she was active for the EquiLibre foundation, searching for contacts and coordinating assistance for Poland. In 1989, she was one of the founders of the Polish branch of the EquiLibre Foundation. In 1992 she organized a convoy of Polish aid for the former Yugoslavia. In 1992, she also founded the Polish Humanitarian Action, where she assumed the post of president.[1]

In 1996, she married Michał Okoński, a journalist from Tygodnik Powszechny, but the marriage ended in divorce[4]. In 2000, an extended interview with Janina Ochojska was conducted by Wojciech Bonowicz and published as a book (Heaven is different), then in 2015 another one, conducted by Marzena Zdanowska (The World According to Janka).

Awards
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References
  1. "Polska Akcja Humanitarna :: Janina Ochojska". archive.fo. 9 April 2015. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  2. "Janina Ochojska – Encyklopedia Solidarności". encysol.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  3. "Janina Ochojska: Mam dużo marzeń – niepelnosprawni.pl". niepelnosprawni.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  4. Hołownia, Szymon (2011). Ludzie na walizkach. Nowe historie. Wydawnictwo Znak. ISBN 978-83-240-1512-2. |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  5. M.P. z 2011 r. Nr 78, poz. 778M.P. z 2011 r. Nr 78, poz. 778
  6. "Wręczenie odznaczeń "Bene Merito" przez Ministra Spraw Zagranicznych Radosława Sikorskiego". msz.gov.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 23 March 2018.

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