Helen M. Szablya

Born and raised in Hungary, Helen lived through both Nazi and Communist occupation and found them equally horrible. Married at 16 to escape Communist deportations, her husband, Dr. John F. Szablya professor of electrical engineering, and she, a student at the Budapest Technical University were eyewitnesses and participants to the 1956 Uprising. After the 1956 Revolution was crushed, they attempted to escape with a 4 year old, a 2 year old and a 10 day old baby. Captured twice, they finally made it to Austria. This is where her book “My Only Choice: Hungary 1942-1956” ends.

The second volume of her autobiography ”From Refugee to Consul: An American Adventure” starts with their first steps in the euphoria and complete unknown of their new-found freedom.

How does a refugee woman become the first ever Hon. Consul of Hungary on the West Coast of the USA, as well as the first woman Hon. Consul of Hungary to the USA? This book chronicles that journey.

Helen is an award-winning author, journalist, translator, and lecturer, living in Seattle WA. She and her late husband have seven children, 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.