Bertha Modrzynski

St. Casimir Roman Catholic Church

St. Casimir Roman
Catholic Church

Further Reading from the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History :

Bertha Modrzynski
interviewed by Jeanette E. Tuve
April, 15 1986
as part of the
Ethnic Women of Cleveland
Oral History Project Series

LISTEN/READ THE TRANSCRIPT

Bertha (Struzynski) Modrzynski grew up as a first generation American in Cleveland, Ohio. Born to Polish parents in 1912, she speaks about growing up in the Poznan neighborhood around East 82nd and Pulaski near St. Casimir's Church. Mrs. Modrzynski was a machinist who started working when World War II broke out and worked for Ohio Crankshaft and then Cleveland Pneumatic Tool until 1967.

Bertha was very involved in Polish heritage organizations and tells about her involvement in the Polish Falcons, Alliance of Poles, Polish Constitution Day, and the Polish American Congress. She was also involved in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Lansing Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Modrzynski recounts swearing Dennis Kucinich in as mayor of Cleveland and Pope John Paul's visit to Cleveland while he was a Cardinal in 1969.

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This is one of a series of interviews conducted by Jeanette E. Tuve in 1986 as part of the Ethnic Women of Cleveland Oral History Project at the Cleveland State University. Originally sponsored by the CSU Women's Comprehensive Program and the History Department, and funded by the George Gund Foundation. Cleveland Memory has now digitized these fascinating interview transcripts and recordings to allow you to read the transcripts online while listening to streaming audio recordings of the interviews.