Pomeranian Griffin Badge

The featured badge was awarded to Helena Kurcyusz (1914-1999), an architect and town planner, who settled in Szczecin in May 1945, making a lasting mark on its history. As a contributor to the Baudienst (building service), she was involved in designing simplified spatial development plans for many towns in the former Szczecin Province and in decision-making on regional planning. Throughout her life, Kurcyuszowa was marked with a number of high distinctions and awards, including the featured Badge of Honour of the Pomeranian Griffin. This accolade, established on 31 May 1947 by a resolution of the Provincial National Council in Szczecin, was the first regional badge in Poland, awarded to persons of the greatest merit in the repolonisation, reconstruction and development of Western Pomerania. Over the years, the badge has varied in design, name, and terms of award. The decoration was awarded on 26 April to commemorate the capture of Szczecin by the Red Army. Anna Lew-Machniak