I keep this photo in my office. It’s a reminder of what real suffering looks like.
Her name was Czesława Kwoka—a 14-year-old Catholic girl from Poland, deported to Auschwitz with her mother during the Nazi occupation.
Shortly after they arrived, a guard beat her in the face for not understanding orders in German. Then, this photo was taken. She was murdered weeks later.
The camp photographer, a fellow prisoner named Wilhelm Brasse, defied orders and secretly preserved her image.
“Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess—except one thing: your freedom to choose how you respond”. —Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
I hope people who are struggling right now see this—and remember that even in the darkest moments, we can still choose compassion, dignity, and courage.
Ed Kowalski is a Pleasant Valley resident, media voice, and policy-focused professional whose work sits at the intersection of law, public policy, and community life. Ed has spent his career working in senior leadership roles across human resources, compliance, and operations, helping organizations navigate complex legal and regulatory environments. His work has focused on accountability, risk management, workforce issues, and translating policy and law into practical outcomes that affect people’s jobs, livelihoods, and communities. Ed is also a familiar voice in the Hudson Valley media landscape. He most recently served as the morning host of Hudson Valley This Morning on WKIP and is currently a frequent contributor to Hudson Valley Focus with Tom Sipos on Pamal Broadcasting. In addition, Ed is the creator of The Valley Viewpoint, a commentary and narrative platform focused on law, justice, government accountability, and the real-world impact of public policy. Across broadcast and written media, Ed’s work emphasizes transparency, access to justice, institutional integrity, and public trust. Ed is a graduate of Xavier High School, Fordham University, and Georgetown University, holding a Certificate in Business Leadership from Georgetown. His Jesuit education shaped his belief that ideas carry obligations—and that leadership requires both discipline and moral clarity. He lives in Pleasant Valley.
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