Maciej Jasiński
Seven o’clock in the morning. The alarm clock on the mobile phone blares again. Moments later, a mother enters the room, pulls the quilt away, and shouts, “Get up, or you’ll be late for school!” What a nightmare! Many of you, dear young Readers, have surely experienced moments like this. But, believe me, there are even worse nightmares. Imagine living hundreds of years ago. No one wakes you up and no one urges you to learn… simply because you weren’t born a boy. The idea of a life without school might initially sound enticing, but it also means that girls wouldn’t have the skills to read or write. Instead, from their earliest years, they would be groomed to manage households and be prepared for marriages arranged by their families. This was the norm for centuries. Such was the world of Nawojka, the daughter of the mayor of Dobrzyń nad Wisłą (a town that today lies within the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region) during the 15th century. She is the main character in this comic book. With her strong desire to learn in a world where women were barred from higher education, she took a bold and risky step and disguised herself as a boy. Dressed as a man, she would attend lectures and, for a long time, went unrecognized by both professors and fellow students. Historians debate whether Nawojka truly existed or if her story is merely legend. The fact is, however, that five centuries later, another Polish woman, Maria Skłodowska-Curie, not only graduated from the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris, but also became the first female professor and lecturer in the University’s history. She belongs to the elite group of only four individuals awarded two Nobel Prizes. Thus, I invite you to read the compelling story of a Polish woman who defied societal norms in her pursuit of education. PIOTR CAŁBECKI Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region
ISBN 978-83-965996-7-4
Jacek Michalski
Nawojka
The view of Kraków from the Liber Chronicarum (Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493)
is a medieval (super)heroine who, despite the norms of the first half of the 15th century, dared to disguise herself and fight for access to knowledge. Using vivid pictures, the comic book authors dynamically and compellingly depict the life of this semi-legendary first Polish female student. As we delve into her story, we are immersed in the atmosphere of the epoch, and can even experience the conflict between Poland and the Teutonic Order. Accompanying Nawojka on her adventures encourages independent thought and action, inspiring belief in our own abilities and motivation to pursue our dreams.
The story of Nawojka contains inconsistencies and speculations. It is most likely a legend that emerged in the 19th century, symbolizing the justification for women’s quest for full rights. However, this unique tale is worth recalling and remembering as its message may have broader relevance today. It may be the source of inspiration for those who do not fit in the conventional schemes and seek autonomy and free self-expression. In narratives passed down through generations, Nawojka, whose Latin name means “a person who never gives up” or, in other words, stout-hearted, was born in Dobrzyń nad Wisłą. She was either the daughter of the mayor or the rector of the local parish school (notably, these accounts do not mention Nawojka’s mother). It is assumed that despite the norms enforced upon women in her epoch, Nawojka exhibited an unusual thirst for knowledge from a young age. She learned to read and write and was an avid student of Latin texts. The sources are inconsistent regarding the dates and circumstances under which Nawojka commenced her studies at the Academy of Kraków (known as the Jagiellonian University since 1817). The Academy was renovated in 1400 thanks to Queen Hedwig’s foundation. Despite this, women were barred from entry, and professors were not permitted to marry. Some accounts suggest that Nawojka began her studies in 1407, fleeing from her hometown on the day of her intended wedding. Another version posits that in 1414, after the death of her parents, she enrolled at the Academy of Kraków using the money from the sale of her inherited property. Indisputably, she entered the Academy in vesta virili [in male attire], assuming a new name, or rather pseudonym – Jakub or, according to other sources, Andrzej. Nawojka was reputedly a diligent student, dedicated to her academic duties. It did not save her, however, from being unmasked. After three years at the Academy, as she was preparing for her bachelor exams, the truth about her gender was unveiled. Various accounts describe the circumstances that led to the discovery that the talented student was, in fact, a female. According to the most widely accepted and likely version, Nawojka either had an accident or fell ill, and during a medical examination, a physician uncovered her secret. Another tale suggests that a young man from her hometown, upon starting his studies at the Academy of Kraków, recognized her and revealed her identity. Some sources claim that Nawojka was offered a domestic service position for a professor, and such a servant was required to accompany their master to the public baths – this is where she was allegedly exposed. Thus, there are speculations linking Nawojka’s exposure to the Polish Easter tradition of pouring water on one another. When Nawojka’s violation of the rules was discovered, she was summoned before the Bishop’s Court. There, demands were made for her to either be thrown into the Vistula or burnt at the stake. However, Bishop Zbigniew Oleśnicki spared her from this grim fate, moved by her declaration that Amore studii sexum occultavit [the love of study concealed her gender] and remarkable testimonies regarding her education and morality provided by the Academy’s professors. In the end, as penance for her sins, Nawojka was sentenced to a life in a convent. It is said that she taught nuns to read and write and may have been appointed mother superior and the master of novices. It was in this setting that a confessional authored by her was purportedly written. Contemporary scholars, however, challenge this notion, attributing the authorship to Nawojka Koniecpolska, the daughter of Mikołaj Koniecpolski and Dorota Zarembianka. What remains undeniable is that women faced a ban from higher education for the next centuries. It wasn’t until Hugon Kołłątaj’s enlightenment reforms of 1790 that first nine females were legally admitted to the Academy of Kraków to study obstetrics. dr KINGA MAJCHRZAK-PTAK Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, NCU in Toruń Educationalist and historian, theorist and practitioner of pedagogy of remembrance
writer Maciej Jasiński artist Jacek Michalski cover artist Krzysztof Trystuła consultation dr Kinga Majchrzak-Ptak translation Agnieszka Szewczuk
commissioned by Self-Government of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, Poland Contact: Office of the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region in Toruń Address: Plac Teatralny 2, 87-100 Toruń, Poland tel. +48 56: 6218600, 6218610 Kontakt: e-mail:Marszałkowski punkt.informacyjny@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl Urząd Województwa Kujawsko-Pomorskiego w Toruniu Plac Teatralny 2, 87-100 Toruń, tel. 56 62-18-600, 56 62-18-610 www.kujawsko-pomorskie.pl e-mail: punkt.informacyjny@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl www.kujawsko-pomorskie.pl
facebook.com/WojewodztwoKujawskoPomorskie twitter.com/lubietubyc instagram.com/kujawskopomorskie youtube.com/user/umwkp
ISBN 978-83-965996-7-4 year of publication 2023
issuu.com/kujawsko-pomorskie flickr.com/photos/kujawskopomorskie
print run 1000 copies published by Agencja Reklamowa GALL sc ul. Dworcowa 7/203, 87-100 Toruń gall@gall.torun.pl
Check out other comic book stories about great figures of Kuyavia and Pomerania
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Nawojka
The view of Kraków from the Liber Chronicarum (Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493)
is a medieval (super)heroine who, despite the norms of the first half of the 15th century, dared to disguise herself and fight for access to knowledge. Using vivid pictures, the comic book authors dynamically and compellingly depict the life of this semi-legendary first Polish female student. As we delve into her story, we are immersed in the atmosphere of the epoch, and can even experience the conflict between Poland and the Teutonic Order. Accompanying Nawojka on her adventures encourages independent thought and action, inspiring belief in our own abilities and motivation to pursue our dreams.
The story of Nawojka contains inconsistencies and speculations. It is most likely a legend that emerged in the 19th century, symbolizing the justification for women’s quest for full rights. However, this unique tale is worth recalling and remembering as its message may have broader relevance today. It may be the source of inspiration for those who do not fit in the conventional schemes and seek autonomy and free self-expression. In narratives passed down through generations, Nawojka, whose Latin name means “a person who never gives up” or, in other words, stout-hearted, was born in Dobrzyń nad Wisłą. She was either the daughter of the mayor or the rector of the local parish school (notably, these accounts do not mention Nawojka’s mother). It is assumed that despite the norms enforced upon women in her epoch, Nawojka exhibited an unusual thirst for knowledge from a young age. She learned to read and write and was an avid student of Latin texts. The sources are inconsistent regarding the dates and circumstances under which Nawojka commenced her studies at the Academy of Kraków (known as the Jagiellonian University since 1817). The Academy was renovated in 1400 thanks to Queen Hedwig’s foundation. Despite this, women were barred from entry, and professors were not permitted to marry. Some accounts suggest that Nawojka began her studies in 1407, fleeing from her hometown on the day of her intended wedding. Another version posits that in 1414, after the death of her parents, she enrolled at the Academy of Kraków using the money from the sale of her inherited property. Indisputably, she entered the Academy in vesta virili [in male attire], assuming a new name, or rather pseudonym – Jakub or, according to other sources, Andrzej. Nawojka was reputedly a diligent student, dedicated to her academic duties. It did not save her, however, from being unmasked. After three years at the Academy, as she was preparing for her bachelor exams, the truth about her gender was unveiled. Various accounts describe the circumstances that led to the discovery that the talented student was, in fact, a female. According to the most widely accepted and likely version, Nawojka either had an accident or fell ill, and during a medical examination, a physician uncovered her secret. Another tale suggests that a young man from her hometown, upon starting his studies at the Academy of Kraków, recognized her and revealed her identity. Some sources claim that Nawojka was offered a domestic service position for a professor, and such a servant was required to accompany their master to the public baths – this is where she was allegedly exposed. Thus, there are speculations linking Nawojka’s exposure to the Polish Easter tradition of pouring water on one another. When Nawojka’s violation of the rules was discovered, she was summoned before the Bishop’s Court. There, demands were made for her to either be thrown into the Vistula or burnt at the stake. However, Bishop Zbigniew Oleśnicki spared her from this grim fate, moved by her declaration that Amore studii sexum occultavit [the love of study concealed her gender] and remarkable testimonies regarding her education and morality provided by the Academy’s professors. In the end, as penance for her sins, Nawojka was sentenced to a life in a convent. It is said that she taught nuns to read and write and may have been appointed mother superior and the master of novices. It was in this setting that a confessional authored by her was purportedly written. Contemporary scholars, however, challenge this notion, attributing the authorship to Nawojka Koniecpolska, the daughter of Mikołaj Koniecpolski and Dorota Zarembianka. What remains undeniable is that women faced a ban from higher education for the next centuries. It wasn’t until Hugon Kołłątaj’s enlightenment reforms of 1790 that first nine females were legally admitted to the Academy of Kraków to study obstetrics. dr KINGA MAJCHRZAK-PTAK Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, NCU in Toruń Educationalist and historian, theorist and practitioner of pedagogy of remembrance
writer Maciej Jasiński artist Jacek Michalski cover artist Krzysztof Trystuła consultation dr Kinga Majchrzak-Ptak translation Agnieszka Szewczuk
commissioned by Self-Government of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, Poland Contact: Office of the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region in Toruń Address: Plac Teatralny 2, 87-100 Toruń, Poland tel. +48 56: 6218600, 6218610 Kontakt: e-mail:Marszałkowski punkt.informacyjny@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl Urząd Województwa Kujawsko-Pomorskiego w Toruniu Plac Teatralny 2, 87-100 Toruń, tel. 56 62-18-600, 56 62-18-610 www.kujawsko-pomorskie.pl e-mail: punkt.informacyjny@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl www.kujawsko-pomorskie.pl
facebook.com/WojewodztwoKujawskoPomorskie twitter.com/lubietubyc instagram.com/kujawskopomorskie youtube.com/user/umwkp
ISBN 978-83-965996-7-4 year of publication 2023
issuu.com/kujawsko-pomorskie flickr.com/photos/kujawskopomorskie
print run 1000 copies published by Agencja Reklamowa GALL sc ul. Dworcowa 7/203, 87-100 Toruń gall@gall.torun.pl
Check out other comic book stories about great figures of Kuyavia and Pomerania
Maciej Jasiński
Seven o’clock in the morning. The alarm clock on the mobile phone blares again. Moments later, a mother enters the room, pulls the quilt away, and shouts, “Get up, or you’ll be late for school!” What a nightmare! Many of you, dear young Readers, have surely experienced moments like this. But, believe me, there are even worse nightmares. Imagine living hundreds of years ago. No one wakes you up and no one urges you to learn… simply because you weren’t born a boy. The idea of a life without school might initially sound enticing, but it also means that girls wouldn’t have the skills to read or write. Instead, from their earliest years, they would be groomed to manage households and be prepared for marriages arranged by their families. This was the norm for centuries. Such was the world of Nawojka, the daughter of the mayor of Dobrzyń nad Wisłą (a town that today lies within the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region) during the 15th century. She is the main character in this comic book. With her strong desire to learn in a world where women were barred from higher education, she took a bold and risky step and disguised herself as a boy. Dressed as a man, she would attend lectures and, for a long time, went unrecognized by both professors and fellow students. Historians debate whether Nawojka truly existed or if her story is merely legend. The fact is, however, that five centuries later, another Polish woman, Maria Skłodowska-Curie, not only graduated from the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris, but also became the first female professor and lecturer in the University’s history. She belongs to the elite group of only four individuals awarded two Nobel Prizes. Thus, I invite you to read the compelling story of a Polish woman who defied societal norms in her pursuit of education. PIOTR CAŁBECKI Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region
ISBN 978-83-965996-7-4
Jacek Michalski