(PHOENIX, Ariz., June 16, 2004) – Although Wilhelmina Mazár Satina spent most of her life teaching home economics for the Phoenix Union High School District, today she is telling her father’s story – A History of the Binghamton Slovaks.

Wilhelmina’s father, an immigrant from Slovakia, was regarded as an instrumental man in Binghamton, New York. Imrich Mazár held many roles while securing his life in Binghamton from working in a shoe factory to becoming an insurance agent. Additionally, during World War I, he held a critical role in the Binghamton Slovaks’ campaign to raise $20,000 (which later exceeded $40,000) to help secure Czechoslovakia as a nation. Slovaks from around the world had contributed to this fund for freedom.

During this political time in history, prominent Binghamton Slovak leaders chose Wilhelmina’s father, Imrich, to write and compile a book to sell, entitled A History of the Binghamton Slovaks. His work, written completely in Slovak, is regarded by many as a valuable history book because of its authenticity. Imrich was compiling the events into the book as they were happening outside his door.

“I remember my father, late at night, pecking away on this Underwood typewriter, his roll-top desk littered with news articles,” said Wilhelmina.

It took 18 months for Imrich to write and compile the history of the Binghamton Slovaks from 1879-1919. His work was considered a tribute to all Slovaks who donated money to send to Slovakia when Czech Professor, Thomas Masaryk helped combine Czech and Slovak republics into Czechoslovakia.

Wilhelmina’s mission is to tell the story of the Slovak immigrants who fled from the tyranny and oppression of Hungary and Germany and found homes and democracy in Binghamton, New York. To do this, she needed to translate her father’s book from Slovak to English. This was a process that became a long journey of 10 years while working with a translator. Now after the final edits, the book is listed on Amazon.com.

After years of hard work and dedication, Wilhelmina Mazár Satina is telling her father’s story – A History of the Binghamton Slovaks.

Wilhelmina is also a Phoenix College student and member of the Phoenix College Orchestra. She meets regularly with her husband and friends in the Phoenix College cafeteria for lunch on Wednesdays.

Her book is listed on Amazon.com. For more information on the book or to purchase a copy, please visit their web site at www.amazon.com.

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