Hannah Ellerbeck HONS 2011J Final Essay Professor Hernàndez-Ojeda Benjamin Iceland Personal Statement             As a vibrant, passionate, young college graduate, Benjamin Iceland’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War interested me greatly due to our similar age and upbringing. Though he was born 86 years before I was, his life as a college student in New York City rings true to mine in many respects. We were both born and raised in New York City and went to colleges in New York City as well. As someone who prides myself in learning, I feel a relation to Benjamin Iceland as he was able to incorporate his…

Raymi Echavarría Final Essay HONS 2011J Professor Hernández-Ojeda Personal Statement           Some notable literature and film of American volunteers in the Spanish Civil War depict issues of race and gender as non-existent in Spain and show the war as being one that indefinitely united those on the left. Because the Republican side of the war was sustained mostly by passion, ideology, and a strong conviction that those on the Republican side were fighting for the moral good by seeking to halt the spread of fascism, it is difficult to avoid romanticizing the Republican front. The American volunteers lacked U.S. national support, military equipment, proper military training and…

  Haley Trunkett HONS 2011 Hunter College-CUNY Professor María Hernández-Ojeda May Levine Hartzman Personal Statement I came across May Levine-Hartzman while searching online at the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives. Before this course, I knew nothing about the Spanish Civil War nor anyone that volunteered. I even visited Madrid for a summer and still did not know the impact that this war had and still has on modern day society. However I am very thankful for the fact that this course brought me to May Levine. Given that she was born in New York City and eventually moved to Los Angeles, I felt an instant connection but I could have never…

Olivia Pawlowski HONS 2011J Hunter College-CUNY Professor María Hernández-Ojeda The Narrative of Jack Bjoze by Olivia Pawlowski Personal Statement While Jack Bjoze’s service as a soldier in the Spanish Civil War amounted to ten months and eleven days, his commitment to the war effort, its cause, and its veterans lasted a lifetime. Throughout his life, Bjoze fought for his beliefs despite scrutiny from the FBI, backlash from the American government, and discrimination from those who opposed his beliefs. He faced injuries in both the Spanish Civil War and World War II that cut his active duty short but he remained a soldier at heart long after. He brought his courage…

  Leon Ramotar HONS 2011J Hunter College-CUNY Professor: María Hernández-Ojeda Helene Weissman Personal Statement Helene Weissman led a fascinating life. She was neither a soldier nor a doctor, yet she helped the people of Spain as a liaison, teacher, and administrator. She collected numerous supplies to fuel the supporters of the Spanish Republic. As a Hunter College student this essay allows me both to rescue a Spanish Civil War volunteer from obscurity, and reveal the rich history of famous alum. Uncovering a volunteer’s life from the unknown to the surface has concretely helped me fathom the burning questions that the Spanish Civil War sparks. Even though she had a wonderful…