“Andy Warhol’s Mother, The Woman Behind The Artist” with Guest Professor and Author, Elaine Rusinko

This is the story of a small  Carpatho-Rusyn woman, who became know as Andy Warhol's mother. Ulia Zavacka ( pronounced Zavatski), was one of a very large farming family whose homeland today is in the North Eastern Slovakia. Today the general Rusyn population stretches across what is five European countries, including Ukraine, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and Poland. Officials say that at the turn of the 20th century, approximately 250,000 Ruthenians, as they were known to US Immigration officials, emigrated to America where they worked in coal mines and steel mills of the northeast. Many settled in the Pittsburg. PA area. Rusyns spoke east slavic dialects that used the Cyrillic alphabet. Elaine and I spoke a lot about the similarities of both women. Julia followed her husband to America eventually having three sons and not speaking much English.  Nancy, Elaine's mother, had a huge advantage and was born in the United States and spoke two languages at a young age. Both women had Carpatho-Rusyn backgrounds. It was a tough time to raise a family especially in the Pittsburgh area yet Andy's father was a good business man and was able to put some money away for Andy  to go to college. Elaine shares stories of her mother moving to New York City at age of thirteen in order to help her family financially as a housekeeper/nanny/servant, as you'll hear Elaine tell the story. By moving to NYC, Nancy met her future husband who has a similar background as she. Keep in mind, that making money to help the family put food on the table was way more important than any kind of education.  Nancy eventually married a coal miner from Pennsylvania and fellow Rusyn which was comforting to her. Both of these families had lingering effects of being immigrants and children of immigrants. Of parents parenting similarly as to how they had been parented.  They had a lot to overcome and it can take decades if not generations to assimilate.Elaine's academic studies where shocking to her parents. They couldn't really understand why she continued with higher education because that was very foreign to both of them.And course, Andy went to what's now known as Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and completed a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree in 1949.Julia was an artist of her own right. She was very creative especially when she was younger and in her home country. So much of her artistic talent influenced Andy and they worked closely together on projects for many years as she lived in Manhattan with Andy for almost twenty years. Julia was featured in his artistic projects with his coworkers on a regular basis.https://www.warhol.org/andy-warhols-life/ SHLTMM YOUTUBE CHANNEL LINK:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_BmWJpLNvAElaine Rusinko INSTAGRAM: rusinko17 Other Carpatho-Rusyn Related Social Media: FB: Carpatho-Rusyns Everywhere, The Lost Warhols by Karen Bystedt, Carpatho-Rusyn Society, Carpatho-Rusyn Society’s Heritage Radio Program, Carpatho-Rusyn Research Center, The Andy Warhol Museum, rusyn.sk/Rusini Slovenska IG: rusinko17, warholfoundation, carpathorusynsociety_, rusynart, carpatho_rusyns_of_pa, thewarholmuseum For more information about Elaine Rusinko and her Book "Andy Warhol's Mother, The Woman Behind the Artist, contact Lesley Rains at "The Pittsburgh University Press Email: [email protected]  "Should Have Listened To My Mother" is an ongoing conversation about mothers/female role models and the roles they play in our lives. Jackie's guests are open and honest and answer the question, are you who you are today because of, or in spite of, your mother and so much more. You'll be amazed at what the responses are.Gina Kunadian wrote this 5 Star review on Apple Podcast:SHLTMM TESTIMONIAL GINA KUNADIAN JUNE 18, 2024“A Heartfelt and Insightful Exploration of Maternal Love”Jackie Tantillo’s “Should Have Listened To My Mother” Podcast is a treasure and it’s clear why it’s a 2023 People’s Choice Podcast Award Nominee. This show delves into the profound impact mother and maternal role models have on our lives through personal stories and reflections.Each episode offers a chance to learn how different individuals have been shaped by their mothers’ actions and words. Jackie skillfully guides these conversations, revealing why guests with similar backgrounds have forged different paths.This podcast is a collection of timeless stories that highlight the powerful role of maternal figures in our society. Whether your mother influenced you positively or you thrived despite challenges, this show resonates deeply.I highly recommend “Should Have Listened To My Mother” Podcast for its insightful, heartfelt and enriching content.Gina Kunadian"Should Have Listened To My Mother" would not be possible without the generosity, sincerity and insight from my guests. In 2018/2019, in getting ready to launch my podcast, so many were willing to give their time and share their personal stories of their relationship with their mother, for better or worse and what they learned from that maternal relationship. Some of my guests include Nationally and Internationally recognized authors, Journalists, Columbia University Professors, Health Practitioners, Scientists, Artists, Attorneys, Baritone Singer, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist, Activists, Freighter Sea Captain, Film Production Manager, Professor of Writing Montclair State University, Attorney and family advocate @CUNY Law; NYC First Responder/NYC Firefighter, Child and Adult Special Needs Activist, Property Manager, Chefs, Self Help Advocates, therapists and so many more talented and insightful women and men.Jackie has worked in the broadcasting industry for over four decades. She has interviewed many fascinating people including musicians, celebrities, authors, activists, entrepreneurs, politicians and more.A big thank you goes to Ricky Soto, NYC based Graphic Designer, who created the logo for "Should Have Listened To My Mother".MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SHLTMM PODCAST:Link to website and show notes: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/ and https://www.jackietantillo.com/Or more demos of what's to come at https://soundcloud.com/jackie-tantillo Listen wherever you find podcasts: https://www.facebook.com/ShouldHaveListenedToMyMotherhttps://www.facebook.com/jackietantilloInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/shouldhavelistenedtomymother/https://www.instagram.com/jackietantillo7/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-tantillo/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ShouldHaveListenedToMyMother