We all fought for freedom

One of the few books devoted to the experience of Polish women in the Solidarity Movement, We All Fought for Freedom explores women's historical consciousness of this period through interviews, iconography, and commemorative practices of Solidarity.

The women interviewed, many of whom were local activists in the Gdansk area, express a gendered consciousness of Solidarity. Women's stories of activism are frequently based in the domestic realm through the imagery of maternity and food. This tactic was an important part of the antipolitical strategy of Solidarity and has important implications for the position of women in postcommunist Poland.

Despite having been vital to the survival and successes of this movement in Poland, women are marginalized in the labor union's structures. Stereotyped gender roles and the resurgence of Catholic nationalism have proven to be difficult obstacles for activists. The social, economic, and political marginalization of women has intensified since the fall of the Communist Party in 1989.

A significant addition to the burgeoning literature on political, social, and cultural changes in Eastern Europe, We All Fought for Freedom focuses on the importance of ideologies of protest, antipolitics, and gender, illuminating the contributions that anthropology is making to the study of East European social change. The book also recognizes the valuable contributions of women in Solidarity and the often behind-the-scenes, yet vital, roles these activists played in shaping a movement for change.