A Sportive Matka Polka

This book examines the interaction between
nationalism and feminism in modern Polish women s
physical culture from the late nineteenth century
until the end of the twentieth century. Unlike most
western countries where sportswomen were typically
marginalized in their athletic endeavors, Polish
female athletes earned greater respect and
recognition in their physical culture. On many
occasions, and for varied reasons, women s
athleticism in Poland was a source of immense pride
and prestige for both the state and society. This
form of acceptance, however, does not suggest that
sportswomen faced no discrimination in their efforts
to become sportive. Women s physicality remained the
subject of intense debate, particularly when the
socio-economic conditions worsened and threatened the
survival of families. Still, despite the patriarchal
and other barricades, the Polish national struggles
for independence and the emergence of the New Woman
created significant institutional and ideological
spaces for sportswomen to build their physical
culture. Accordingly, this book enriches the
histories of Poland and modern Europe, as well as
women s and sports studies.

Autorentext
Dr. Nameeta Mathur is an Associate Professor of History at Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan. An author of more than twenty articles and reviews in various scholarly journals, Mathur earned her Ph.D. in Modern European History from West Virginia University, where she specialized in both Polish history and Women's history.

Klappentext
This book examines the interaction between nationalism and feminism in modern Polish women's physical culture from the late nineteenth century until the end of the twentieth century. Unlike most western countries where sportswomen were typically marginalized in their athletic endeavors, Polish female athletes earned greater respect and recognition in their physical culture. On many occasions, and for varied reasons, women's athleticism in Poland was a source of immense pride and prestige for both the state and society. This form of acceptance, however, does not suggest that sportswomen faced no discrimination in their efforts to become sportive. Women's physicality remained the subject of intense debate, particularly when the socio-economic conditions worsened and threatened the survival of families. Still, despite the patriarchal and other barricades, the Polish national struggles for independence and the emergence of the "New Woman" created significant institutional and ideological spaces for sportswomen to build their physical culture. Accordingly, this book enriches the histories of Poland and modern Europe, as well as women's and sports studies.