The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1982 (9. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1982-03-01 / 3. szám

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THE EIGHTH TRIBE

March, 1982

In this issue we honor a Lady, who brought lot of joy and happiness into many hearts and homes through many decades. A second generation American Hungarian — who mastered the Hungarian language, loved and furthered her Hungarian Religious and Cultural Heritage. So, the Eighth Tribe proudly presents one of her own — The first Lady of Ethnic Radio: MISS JULIA R. OROSZ.

SUSAN ERDELY STACEY

JULIA R. OROSZ

JULIA R. OROSZ, hostess of Pittsburgh’s WPIT AM Radio’s Garden of Hungarian Song, recently was featured on a WTAE-TV news segment. The telecast portrayed Julia as a Hungarian proud of her ethnic background an eager to preserve it for the future.

Both of Julia’s parents came to the United States from Hungary. Michael Orosz left Monok in 1905, while Rose Lukács arrived in 1907 from Somodi. They met in Pittsburgh and married in 1909 and settled down in Pittsburgh, Pa. After losing their first three children soon after birth, Michael and Rose were blessed with Julia. Altogether they had nine children. Only Julia and two brothers are living.

Julia attended St. Agnes and St. Mary’s High School in Pittsburgh. The untimely death of her father in 1927 meant that she would not be able

to complete her studies since she helped her mother support the family. Her lack of formal training in music and writing has not, however, prevented her from writing one, two, and three act plays as well as composing over 100 songs.

Succes has been the result of whatever she has undertaken.For example, Julia Orosz was nationally recognized as one of the hardest workers on the homefront. In 1943 she was Champion rivet heater for the B&O Railroad and also a successful war bond seller. Her efforts brought recognition to her community as well as her Hungarian heritage.

Religion has always played an important part in Julia’s life. For years she was active in the Sodality of St. Ann’s Church of Hazelwood and served as its President. She was editor of the Pittsburgh Central Union of the Sodality of Our Lady. In addition, she started the first Hungarian Newsletter, “Visszhang,” (Sodality Echoes). More recently, Julia was able to interview Cardinal Mindszenty at St. Elias Church on his last visit to America before his death.

Music, especially Hungarian, has always inspired Julia. As early as 1928, she had singing roles in musicals and plays. In 1938, Julia travelled every Sunday to Uniontown to appear on the Hungarian Program heard on WMBS. Three years later, she could be heard on WKST in New Castle, Pa. A1 tough 1945 was a bit early for women’s lib, Julia was the first woman to produce and announce the Hungarian Program on WJPA in Washington, Pa. She earned her title, “First Lady of Ethnic Radio.” A year later,