Since the late 1800s Pittsburgh has welcomed generations of Slovak immigrants. Once known as the “Gateway to the West,” Pittsburgh and its surrounding regions were a magnet for chain migration, attracting those who carved out livings in the steel mills, iron, glass and other factories along its famous three rivers. This lecture explores the stories of both famous and everyday Slovaks who served as the bridge between America and their European homeland.

Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A., is a freelance writer, instructor, and internationally recognized lecturer, specializing in Eastern European genealogical research and creative nonfiction writing. She is the recipient of the 2002 Mary Zirin Prize, given by the Association for Women in Slavic Studies to recognize the achievements of independent scholars and to encourage their continued scholarship and service in the field of Slavic Studies, and presented with the 2017 Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International Distinguished Achievement Award in recognition of her many outstanding years of teaching, coaching, writing, and researching on Slovak, Rusyn, and Czech genealogy.