Former President of Poland and Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize
"Democracy: The Never Ending Battle"
Thursday, October 25, 2001
Lech Walesa burst into the world spotlight in 1980 during the infamous Lenin Shipyard strike in Gdansk, Poland. Inspiring and uniting the striking workers, Walesa became the founder of the Solidarity party, leading a social revolution against the Communist government and winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983. Walesa went on to become the first democratically elected President of Poland. His term in office set the country firmly on the path to becoming a free market democracy.
Read the Press Release: Lawrence University Recognizes Lech Walesa's Fight for Democractic Reform with Honorary Degree
