Olivia Pawlowski
HONS 2011J
Hunter College-CUNY

Professor María Hernández-Ojeda

The Narrative of Jack Bjoze by Olivia Pawlowski

Personal Statement

While Jack Bjoze’s service as a soldier in the Spanish Civil War amounted to ten months and eleven days, his commitment to the war effort, its cause, and its veterans lasted a lifetime. Throughout his life, Bjoze fought for his beliefs despite scrutiny from the FBI, backlash from the American government, and discrimination from those who opposed his beliefs. He faced injuries in both the Spanish Civil War and World War II that cut his active duty short but he remained a soldier at heart long after. He brought his courage from the war front to the home front and used the same charisma to combat anti-fascism as a leader of the VALB, Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Although Bjoze’s integrity and resilience were present in his actions before, during, and after the war, many of his personal interviews showed a side of him that was demure and humble. His complexities as an individual are what ultimately drew me to him and, as I delved deeper into his files at the Tamiment (more…)

Danielle Dimmler

HONS 2011J

Final Essay

Professor Hernández-Ojeda

James Neugass

Personal Statement

            To most (including me), the Abraham Lincoln Brigade was simply a group of nearly 3,000 men and women who traveled to Spain to fight the war against Fascism from 1936-1939. It was not until I randomly came across James Neugass – a volunteer who lived a little over one mile from where I currently reside while he lived in New York City – did this assignment become real. After digging through documents at the Tamiment Library, this connection I felt with Neugass grew exponentially. His slight humor towards his time in Spain made researching even more enjoyable. I would occasionally laugh at his descriptions of the volunteers he served with and the experiences that were described in his novel. In discovering more about who James Neugass was and his personal experience while overseas, he became more than just a name on a database with thousands of other individuals. He became a poet, novelist, ambulance driver, a father and most importantly, a volunteer in the Abraham Lincoln Brigades.

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Imani Springer
Hons2011J
Final Essay
Professor María Hernández-Ojeda

Reviving the Legacy of Virginia Malbin

Personal Statement

          While looking through the list of the members of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, I took notice of Virginia Malbin’s work mainly because of my desire to become a social worker. As a future social worker for children, I was very inspired by Mrs. Malbin’s dedication and service to helping the Spanish Social Services. Combating conditions at home is one thing, but fighting for what you believe in in other country shows true heroism. Not only did she go against the US non-intervention policy, she went against the gender norms of the period. Virginia Malbin exemplifies one of the many people who assisted the Republicans in the Spanish Civil. She proved that one does not have to physically fight to make a difference. At the Taminement Archives, I found many boxes containing the records and reasoning of Mrs. Malbin’s stay in Spain. Like many of the other volunteers, she went (more…)

Leon Ramotar

HONS 2011J

Hunter College-CUNY

Professor: María Hernández-Ojeda

Helene Weissman

Personal Statement

Helene Weissman led a fascinating life. She was neither a soldier nor a doctor, yet she helped the people of Spain as a liaison, teacher, and administrator. She collected numerous supplies to fuel the supporters of the Spanish Republic. As a Hunter College student this essay allows me both to rescue a Spanish Civil War volunteer from obscurity, and reveal the rich history of famous alum. Uncovering a volunteer’s life from the unknown to the surface has concretely helped me fathom the burning questions that the Spanish Civil War sparks. Even though she had a wonderful life with her husband and children in the United States, it was a cognitive mission to help the people of Spain. She was determined to make a difference, and nothing would stop her. (more…)