Heinz History Center hosts citizenship ceremony on Women's Equality Day

Thirteen women from 13 countries sat in the front row of chairs assembled for a special women’s citizenship ceremony in the Senator John Heinz History Center’s Great Hall on Friday morning.

It was not a coincidence that the ceremony happened on Aug. 26 — Women’s Equality Day.

As Heinz History Center senior curator Leslie Przbylek pointed out in her opening remarks to the women about to become America’s newest citizens, many of this country’s pioneers were and are women.

“Pioneering journalist Nellie Bly was the granddaughter of an Irish immigrant. It reminds us that we’re all part of a larger story,” Przbylek said. Bly grew up in Cochran’s Mills, on the fringe of the Alle-Kiski Valley.

Przbylek also told the story of Dr. Velma Scantlebury who was born in Barbados and went on to become America’s first Black female transplant surgeon.

She also mentioned Hungarian immigrant Hannah Klein, who opened Klein’s Seafood Restaurant in Downtown Pittsburgh.

“She missed the food from her native land and so she started a restaurant here that became a Pittsburgh landmark offering power lunches and celebratory dinners for decades,” Przbylek said.

“We hope you will add to this story.”

Many of them already have after arriving here from Australia, Belarus, Dominican Republic, Bhutan, El Salvador, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Burundi, Iceland, Canada, India, China and Ireland.

They include Urmila Tirodker, 53, a native of Mumbai, India who first came to the U.S. in 1996 and is a physician specializing in pediatric critical care at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

“Back when I came there weren’t many sub specialties to pursue a career in after general pediatrics in India,” Tirodker said. “There was no fellowship in India (at that time). Things have changed tremendously now, but back then I wanted to come to a place that would offer me that.

“I really wanted to pursue a specialty here that I’m passionate about, which is what brought me here. I also wanted to raise a family here and there were opportunities for our children here and our own careers.”

Tirodker currently lives with her husband and two children in Moon Township. She’s glad she finally is a U.S. citizen after first considering it after being here for five years.

“This country is amazing. It’s been long in coming. I’m very grateful. It’s a beautiful venue and a beautiful ceremony, and it meant a lot to all of us. I have my U.S. passport appointment this afternoon.”

Lin Wang, a native of Shanghai, China first came to the U.S. in 2005. She currently works as a researcher in the Magee-Womens Research Institute as well as the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.

Wang said becoming a U.S. citizen means a lot to her: “It means freedom and happiness.”

She now lives in Mt. Lebanon and said she first thought about becoming a U.S. citizen when she gave birth to her daughter 14 years ago. Now that Wang is a citizen she’s most excited about voting.

“I wouldn’t say I didn’t have any freedom in the past, but it’s a special moment to truly become a free woman.”

Wendy Ouedraogo, 41, Allison Park, is a native of Burkina Faso. She’s been in the United States for 15 years. She said she has thought about becoming an American citizen since the day she arrived because women have more freedom here.

“Women have more opportunities and more help to be who we want to be, freedom to work, freedom to look for what we want and go for it. It’s a great day for me,” Ouedraogo said. “I’m so happy to be a (U.S.) citizen. It’s a long process. It’s a great feeling.”

Ouedraogo works as a registered nurse at UPMC Shadyside hospital. She’s also studying to become a nurse practitioner at Youngstown State University. She said part of what brought her to Pittsburgh is that it’s a well-established medical community.

“I’ve always loved studying (medicine),” Ouedraogo said. “It’s good to be here living my American dream.”

Each of the thirteen women took the oath of allegiance to the United States of America before being presented with Certificates of Citizenship.

A recorded video address from President Joseph Biden was played.

“You all have one thing in common – courage. The courage it takes to sacrifice and make this journey. The courage to leave your home,” said Biden. “Today, you’ve earned a title equal to that of an American president, the title I’m most proud of — citizen of the United States of America.”