Pienkowska, Alina (1952–2002)
Pienkowska, Alina (1952–2002)
Polish labor leader and politician. Born Jan 12, 1952, in Gdansk, Poland; died of cancer, Oct 17, 2002, in Gdansk; dau. of a Gdansk shipyard worker; married and widowed; m. Bogdan Borusiewicz (labor activist), 1983; children: (1st m.) 1 daughter Kinga; (2nd m.) 1 son Sebastian.
A crucial figure in the Gdansk shipyard strike, joined the underground anti-Communist workers' organization, Free Trade Unions (1970s); was working as a nurse in the shipyard clinic when Gdansk workers went on strike (Aug 14, 1980); managed to get news of the strike to the outside world, causing strikes across Poland; convinced Lech Walesa and fellow strikers not to accept the government's offer of improved pay and conditions, but to continue to protest for political reforms; was one of the authors of the 21 Points agreement that legalized Solidarity (Aug 31, 1980); was one of Solidarity's regional leaders in Gdansk for a decade (1980–90); during the period of martial law, was imprisoned for more than a year; after the fall of Polish communism, served as a member of Poland's senate on the Solidarity ticket (1991–93); became a member of Gdansk City Council (1998).