Born: 1886
Died: 1968
Biography:
Wanda Krahelska-Filipowicz (15 December 18861968), code name Alinka or Alicja, was a remarkable figure in Warsaw’s underground resistance movement during the years of German occupation in World War II. As the well-connected wife of a former ambassador to Washington, she effectively used her contacts with both the military and political leadership of the Polish Underground to shape the underground’s policy of aiding Poland’s Jewish population.
Early on, Krahelska-Filipowicz recognized the importance of establishing a central organization to provide assistance to Poland’s Jews and strongly advocated for this within the Government in Exile, including the Delegatura and its military counterpart, the AK. She also played a key role in securing significant funding for this important cause. Her passion for defending the rights and safety of Jews was evident from the beginning of the German occupation when she personally sheltered Jews in her own home, despite the grave consequences announced by the Nazi German occupiers for any Pole who did so.
Among the refugees Wanda sheltered was the widow of the renowned Jewish historian, Szymon Aszkenazy. This act of bravery demonstrated her unwavering commitment to compassion and justice, even in the face of death. Her actions were not only heroic but also historic, as she played a crucial role in preserving the lives and dignity of many Jewish individuals during one of the darkest periods in history.
Beyond her involvement in the resistance movement, Krahelska-Filipowicz was a Catholic Socialist activist and a devoted Democrat. She utilized her role as the editor of the Polish art magazine Arkady to promote democratic values and cultural exchange during a time when Poland was under German occupation.
However, her contributions to society did not begin with World War II. Even before the outbreak of the war, Wanda had already left an indelible mark on Polish history. In a daring act of resistance, at the young age of twenty, she participated in an assassination attempt on the Russian governor-general of Warsaw, Georgi Skalon. Armed with three dynamite bombs, she targeted the governor’s coach. Though two of the bombs exploded, injuring three individuals in the governor’s entourage, Wanda managed to escape and fled to Cracow, which was then part of Austrian Poland.
In Cracow, she entered into a fictional marriage with painter Adam Dobrodzicki and became a citizen of Austria-Hungary. When Russia sought her extradition, Austria refused and instead arranged a trial in Wadowice. The trial began on 16 February 1908, and despite admitting to her involvement, Wanda Dobrodzicka was acquitted, allowing her to continue her fight for justice and freedom.
Wanda Krahelska-Filipowicz’s life is a testament to the power of resilience, bravery, and compassion. She transcended societal barriers, fearlessly fought for justice, and risked her own life to protect those most vulnerable. Her actions during World War II made an enormous impact on the lives of countless Jewish individuals, and her contributions continue to be celebrated as pivotal moments in women’s history.