Barbara Lemecha was born in Katowice, Poland, and came to the U.S. at age 18 to New York. Three years later, she married and settled in Michigan. Until her children finished high school, Barbara was actively involved in their schools as a room mother, Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader, school library volunteer, and five-year member of the Parent Faculty Association at Dearborn High School.
Once her children were in college, she pursued other interests. She enrolled in classes to study English, psychology, and the humanities, later earning Continuing Education Credit Hours through the Michigan Association for Activity Professionals. She began a new career as an Activity Director in a retirement residence, where she worked for many years. She also served on Dearborn Heights’ Neighborhood Beautification Committee, Homeowners Association Board, and as President of the Military Hills Garden Club.
Her involvement in Michigan’s Polonia began when she joined the Friends of Polish Art in 2002 and became recording secretary. The following year she attended the American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC) Convention and was elected to the Board. That same year she was assigned to chair the National Conference for the Social Studies (NCSS) project, which she accepted with great commitment. For 8 years, under ACPC, she co-chaired “Polish Perspectives,” an exhibit at the NCSS promoting Polish culture and accomplishments. She served for many years on the Board of the American Polish Cultural Center /Society as a board member and corresponding secretary. In 2023, she co-chaired a memorable convention celebrating ACPC’s 75th Anniversary. Proceeds from the event augmented the Society’s Scholarship Fund, which she also chairs.
In 2003 Barbara joined the Polish American Congress of Michigan (PAC-MI), where she devoted over
20 years as recording secretary, Vice President for Polish Affairs, and now as Executive Vice President and National Director. For the past 10 years, she has also served as treasurer of the Polish Day Parade Committee. In addition to her memberships in Friends of Polish Art, PAC-MI, ACPC, and the American Polish Cultural Society, she is a member of the Kosciuszko Foundation, Polish Museum of America, and Chopin Society of Chicago.
Barbara’s passion is flower arranging, a craft she pursues with great love. She has participated in competitions and received many recognitions. Her other interest is travel. However, her greatest joy is her children and grandson, who is her ultimate pride. Her daughter is an emergency physician, and her son, father of her only grandson, is a telecommunications engineer.
She has received numerous awards for her dedication to Polonia, including a Certificate of Recognition from the Lt. Col. Matt L. Urban Memorial Committee, the Founders Award from ACPC, the Pulaski Medal from the Polish American Central Citizens Committee, recognition from the American Polish Cultural Society, and the Gold Cross of Merit (Złoty Krzyż Zasługi) from the Polish Government.
Source: Booklet “Top 25 Polish American Leaders in 2025 Awards Banquet”.
