On the occasion of International Women's Day, this Sunday, March 8, 2026, the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, presided over an official ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw. During this event, eleven women with exemplary careers were decorated for their exceptional contribution to the nation in the fields of culture, education, health, science, and charitable engagement. Among the recipients is a figure from consecrated life, Sister Maria Rafaela, whose work with the most disadvantaged was solemnly recognized.
In his address, the Polish head of state emphasized the central and "sovereign" place that women occupy in the country's social and economic structure. Citing national data, he noted that more than seven million Polish women work daily for the development of the Republic. The President also highlighted the importance of intellectual formation and security, specifying that women represent 58% of the student population and that 30,000 of them serve within the police and security forces.
The Catholic Church, through the engagement of its members, was honored with the presentation of the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta to Sister Maria Rafaela. Mother Superior of the Monastery of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Kłodzko for more than twenty years, the religious sister was distinguished for her sustained charitable and social activity among people in need. This award recognizes a life of self-giving, particularly noted for the support provided to victims of the recent floods in the Kłodzko region.
President Nawrocki emphasized the diversity of the commitments being rewarded, stating that these women, through their sensitivity and dedication, strengthen the "national community." In this spirit of service to the common good, Teresa Sosnowska also received the Knight's Cross for her social action, while Zofia Czechlewska, a choreographer and pedagogue, was honored for her role in promoting Polish folklore and culture.
The human and family dimension held a special place during the ceremony. The President thus presented the Gold Cross of Merit to Mariola Rygielska, a mother of sixteen children, calling her a "true heroine of the Republic" for her dedication to education within a large family. Concurrently, the world of health and science was widely represented. Elżbieta Budny, president of the "Krwinka" foundation for children with cancer, Teresa Kocbach, director of a palliative care center in Olsztyn, and Marta Miączyńska, director of the International Institute of Molecular Biology, were all decorated for their professional excellence and compassion.
The future of the nation was also embodied by the youngest recipient in the history of Polish state distinctions, Kornelia Wieczorek. At just 17 years old, this high school student from Gdynia received the Silver Cross of Merit for her scientific work on an environmentally friendly, biodegradable fertilizer, an innovation that has earned her international recognition.
In conclusion of this gathering, the President of the Republic expressed the nation's gratitude towards these women who, beyond their respective disciplines, bear witness to a deep attachment to the historical and spiritual identity of Poland. "Our national community is proud of you," he declared, emphasizing that their work, whether academic, athletic, educational, or charitable, remains an indispensable pillar of the country's life.