Joanna Weschler (Wegrzynowicz)
Human rights intemational observer, journalist, translator
Born Aug. 23, 1956, Warsaw, Poland; came to U.S., 1983; daughter of Zenon and Teresa (Hildt); married Lawrence Weschler; child: Sara.
Education: Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Warsaw, 1980, Columbia University, New York City, 1986.
Career: reporter, Solidarity Agency, Warsaw, 1981; researcher, Helsinki Watch, New York City, 1984-85; researcher, 1986-90, director, Prison Project, 1990-94, United Nations (UN) representative, 1994 -, Human Rights Watch, New York City.
Author: articles in: Kultura, Gazeta Wyborcza (Poland), El Pais (Spain), The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald; co-translator, Hanna Krall, Zdazyc przed Panem Bogiem (Shielding the Flame), 1986, and Ida Fink, Podroz (The Journey), 1992; numerous reports on human rights.
Member of: Polish Workers Independent Trade Union - "Solidarnosc", 1980-81; Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America (P.I.A.S.A.).
Honors: A. Spiezny Journalism Scholarship, Kosciuszko Foundation, 1985; Certificate of Merit (for outstanding community service), New York City Council President, 1993.
Languages: Polish, English, Spanish, Portuguese.
Office: Human Rights Watch, 485 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996.