Tributes
“As Dagnija Lacis was introducing the latest Western technology to Latvians, I often collaborated with Andris and Dagnija in Riga during the early 1990s. I was proud of our efforts, which resulted in the Latvian military meeting NATO standards and Latvia becoming a NATO member. May the Latvia and Michigan partnership continue to grow!”
—Major General E. Gordon Stump, Retired Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard
“Dagnija Lacis’ memoir is a story of courage, upheaval, and persistence. It began as she and her parents fled the Communist takeover of Latvia. From a displaced persons camp in Germany, they found a way to immigrate to the United States, where she would learn English and eventually rise up through the ranks at Burroughs Corporation, where she broke through the glass ceiling to become the first woman Vice-President.
Little did she know that she was learning skills and making contacts that would allow her to introduce modern ideas that would change the faulty and old-fashioned banking and transportation systems in her native country. Her transitions, first navigating through a male-dominated world, then across an ocean to a country that was emerging from fifty years of Communism are noteworthy. Watching through her memoir, we see her tenacity and resilience when confronted with obstacles. The way she always finds a path forward is inspirational for us all.”
—Lynn Miller, author of Sweating Bullets, historical fiction
“Dagnija came to Latvia soon after the Berlin Wall fell and presented the latest technologies used in the West. This included an introduction to SWIFT, which Latvia needed to communicate financial transactions to the West. She brought the SWIFT representative who explained the process for Latvia to become a member of SWIFT.
She presented us with a plan to modernize all Latvian transport including freight, planes, ships, and railroads—called Global Trade and Transport System. We kept presenting the plan, receiving positive response, but implementation was delayed. However, Latvia better understood the latest technologies and approaches used worldwide. During Latvia’s 50 years under Communism, our technologies were antiquated and Dagnija brought in experts in banking and transportation to introduce the latest approaches used in Western countries—thus introducing Latvia to the latest technologies, at Dagnija’s own expense.
I believe this very early introduction for Latvia helped us to more quickly participate in the Western economy. Now Latvia is a proud member of EU and NATO.”
—Andris Gutmanis, Latvian Minister of Transport and Communications 1993–1995
