„Bywając często na paradach i musztrach, nabrałam ochoty zapisać się do pułku na żołnierza…”. Wokół kariery wojskowej Joanny Żubrowej (1782-1852)

Joanna Żubrowa (1782-1852) was not only the first woman in the history of Poland awarded with the Order of Virtuti Military, but also the first female sergeant, who had been discharged from the army as a colonel. She was strongly motivated to join the army of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw by the desire to be close to her husband Maciej Żuber, who had joined the second infantry regiment in 1808. Joanna was conscious that she would not be accepted to the army as a woman. In spite of this, she had not given up and attained her goal. Joanna Żubrowa demonstrated courage as a soldier many times, bordering on heroism. Ambition, courage, optimism, and persistence allowed her to pursue a career in the army, which was a remarkable event at the beginning of the 19th century. She was a trailblazer, whose path was followed by other Polish women during the time of the November and January Uprisings.