Herstoria Górnoślązaczki. Jolanta Wadowska-Król – szopienicka doktor ołowianych dzieci

The article presents the profile of Jolanta Wadowska-Król, a doctor from Szopienice distinguished for her fight against lead poisoning. The author situates Wadowska-Król within the context of the local community and the industrial landscape of Upper Silesia, as well as within the political realities of the Polish People’s Republic. The article depicts the doctor’s heroic struggle not only against the epidemic of lead poisoning among the inhabitants of the industrial region of Silesia, but also against the heartless state apparatus that sought to conceal the truth about environmental contamination and the threats posed by the Szopienice smelter to the health and lives of local residents. Wadowska-Król’s dedication and persistence were acknowledged only years later. The pediatrician, referred to as the “Madonna of Szopienice” and the “Sendlerowa of Szopienice”, became the subject of radio programmes, documentaries, scientific and popular articles, and literary works. In 2021, the Senate of the University of Silesia in Katowice awarded Jolanta Wadowska-Król the title of doctor honoris causa. The article recalls her achievements and presents various forms of her commemoration.