The Sunshine Lady” Lidia Pucińska

Lidia Pucińska (1896–1984) emigrated from Kraków to the United States in 1912, where she pursued her career first as an actor and then as a playwright, manager, producer, and host of a Polish-language radio program named “Sunshine Hour” (Godzina Słoneczna). Known as the “Sunshine Lady,” she engaged her audience in various social, political, and charitable endeavors promoting Polishness and supporting both Poles and Polish Americans. Among others, they funded a bomber during World War II and welcomed refugees admitted to the United States under provisions of the Displaced Persons Act, adopted thanks to the efforts of the Polish American Congress. From the 1950s, she was deeply involved in promoting the political career of her son, Roman Pucinski. This article, based on the archival materials from the Polish Museum of America in Chicago and the Immigration History Research Center in Minneapolis, presents the life and achievements of this outstanding Polish American radio star and community leader

Economic history · Immigration · Media studies · Political science · Politics · Refugee · Sociology · World War II · History · Law · Polish Historical and Cultural Studies