Dziecko, rodzina i płeć w amerykańskich inicjatywach humanitarnych i filantropijnych w II Rzeczypospolitej

„Pomagajcie polskim dzieciom”. Humanitarna mobilizacja amerykańskiej opinii publicznej po I wojnie światowej

“…Jednym z głównych celów ARA w Polsce było stworzenie centralnej organizacji opieki nad dzieckiem, która miała przejąć zadania Misji Hoovera po wycofaniu się organizacji z II RP. Wyłoniony z wcześniejszych stowarzyszeń Polsko-Amerykański Komitet Pomocy Dzieciom (PAKPD) 11 zbudował sieć powiatowych i lokalnych komitetów, do zadań których należały bezpośredni nadzór i organizacja akcji pomocowej w małych i większych miejscowościach II RP 12 . Podobne formy współpracy z mieszkańcami i organizacjami przyjął Żydowski Komitet Rozdzielczy, zakładając lokalne komitety, współpracując z istniejącymi instytucjami i tworząc własne stowarzyszenia, takie jak Towarzystwo Ochrony Zdrowia Ludności Żydowskiej w Polsce (TOZ) czy Centralę Towarzystw Opieki nad Sierotami (CENTOS) 13 .…”

Railroad Workers, Civilization and Communism: the Young Men’s Christian Association on the Interwar Polish Frontier

“…14 In the buildings that were being gradually erected in Polish metropolises, the Y offered vocational training, physical education as well as "decent" leisure. 15 a post-war economic crisis. As the situation on the eastern border improved, the organization abandoned its railroad work in 1926.…”

“…As the situation on the eastern border improved, the organization abandoned its railroad work in 1926. 11 15 Interestingly, the concept of civilization was used also in another, very eminent piece of writing that described the situation on the frontier defined as "the meeting point between savagery and civilization." 25 The latter phrase prominently featured in the seminal paper of Frederick Jackson Turner read during the assembly of the American Historical Association in 1893.…”

“…40 In Poland a similar aim of preventing or resolving labor-management conflicts was adopted by the YMCA in Lodz, the biggest Polish industrial center in the interwar years where the Y was invited into factories and offered programs for local young male employees. 41 On the Polish frontier the purpose of setting up Y branches was different, however: the targeted railroad workers-enjoying a high social prestige as a local vocational elite-did not pose a threat but were seen in need of recreation and social welfare. 21 By founding its railroad branches on the Polish frontier the YMCA also recognized the cultural and political potential of the railroad stations that in the nineteenth and early twentieth century served a vital social role by helping establish order and maintain discipline in under-populated and "uncivilized" territories.…”

“…Being an inherently Protestant organization, in Poland the YMCA emphasized its Catholic character and attachment to the Catholic Church despite the Catholic bishops' vehement criticism of the Y's activities and philosophy. 43 The official policy of the Association allowed only Christians to become the members of the organization. The Y excluded Jews, whose presence in Poland Paul Super regarded as a "colossal problem."…”