Katolicka Jednota Zen Texaskych (K.J.Z.T.)
​Catholic Women's Union of Texas

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Marker Text: Czech families came to Texas in the 1800s and bought farms where women worked equally with men to clear land and plant and harvest crops. Despite their efforts, life insurance companies would not sell policies to women, citing uncertain income and lack of credit or savings at the same time, funeral costs and other hardships added to families difficulties in times of illness or death. To help alleviate these burdens, in 1874 Anna (MGL) Jakubik (1853-1946) and Marie Yurek (Juke) (1860-1950) of Yoakum founded Katolicka Jednota Zen Texaskych (K.J.Z.T.), or Catholic Women's Union of Texas. Jakubik and Yurek approached Rev. Francis just for help help in forming a mutual aid society for the Czech women of St. Joseph's parish. Ten women gathered at the first meeting and the organization quickly grew to include multiple afflicted groups across the state. By 1917, there were 60 societies in Texas with more than 8000 members. 
    The organization initially formed to aid families during times of death, however, the K.J.Z.T transformed into a successful financial institution providing life insurance, loans, mortgages, scholarships and community service. From the beginning, the K.J.Z.T. exclusively employed women to oversee and operate its business, giving Texas women professional and career opportunities and training. The statewide group also printed a sizable weekly newspaper, Novy Domov (New Home), published in Hallettsville by Anna Jakubik and her husband, Frantisek. The full-size newspaper printed in the Czech language included hard news,  unusual among women's publications of the time. Novy Domov later merged with the newspaper Katolik to become the K.J.Z.T. News. From origins as a small aid society, the K.J.Z.T. grew to become an influential organization
with thousands of members. (2019) 

Marker No: ​22478

Aluminum  27 x 42 Subject Marker 

Geographic: 29° 17.067′ N, 97° 8.047′ W

Location: ​210 Schrimscher Street, Yoakum