Vonda Urban - Revision history

SysopJ: /* Theosophical work */

2024-03-05T22:00:54Z

Theosophical work

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:00, 5 March 2024
Line 49:		Line 49:
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	Her sister Irene Stashinski worked with her to develop some excellent diagrams depicting [[Chains and Rounds]] and other Theosophical concepts.		Her sister Irene Stashinski worked with her to develop some excellent diagrams depicting [[Chains and Rounds]] and other Theosophical concepts. Vonda, Irene, and Vonda's students Arnie Coleman and Norman Zuefle assisted in production of the fourteenth volume of the [[Collected Writings (book)\|''Collected Writings'']] of Theosophical Society founder [[H. P. Blavatsky]].<ref>Preface to Volume XIV, page xxi.</ref>

	== Final years ==		== Final years ==

SysopJ at 18:47, 1 March 2024

2024-03-01T18:47:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:47, 1 March 2024
Line 102:		Line 102:
	[[Category:Lecturers\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:Lecturers\|Urban, Vonda]]
	[[Category:Dancers\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:Dancers\|Urban, Vonda]]
	[[Category:Independent ~~Theosophists~~]]		[[Category:Independent]]
	[[Category:Nationality American\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:Nationality American\|Urban, Vonda]]
	[[Category:People\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:People\|Urban, Vonda]]

SysopJ at 17:35, 1 March 2024

2024-03-01T17:35:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:35, 1 March 2024
Line 102:		Line 102:
	[[Category:Lecturers\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:Lecturers\|Urban, Vonda]]
	[[Category:Dancers\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:Dancers\|Urban, Vonda]]
	[[Category:Independent Theosophists		[[Category:Independent Theosophists]]
	[[Category:Nationality American\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:Nationality American\|Urban, Vonda]]
	[[Category:People\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:People\|Urban, Vonda]]

SysopJ: /* Theosophical work */

2024-02-13T22:40:09Z

Theosophical work

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:40, 13 February 2024
Line 49:		Line 49:
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	Her sister Irene worked with her to develop some excellent diagrams depicting [[Chains and Rounds]] and other Theosophical concepts.		Her sister Irene Stashinski worked with her to develop some excellent diagrams depicting [[Chains and Rounds]] and other Theosophical concepts.

	== Final years ==		== Final years ==

SysopJ at 22:39, 13 February 2024

2024-02-13T22:39:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:39, 13 February 2024
Line 28:		Line 28:
	Beginning in 1954, the vivacious Vonda Urban taught ballroom dancing at the elegant '''Aragon Ballroom''' in Chicago, and became something of a local celebrity. As many as 18,000 patrons visited the venue every week to enjoy the maple dance floor could could hold 8,000 at one time. Six nights a week, radio station WGN broadcast a nationwide hour-long program featuring the famous bands who were playing: the orchestras of Tommy Dorsey, Billy May, Eddy Howard, Teddy Phillips, Dick Jurgens, Chuck Foster, and Buddy Morrow. Lessons in the newest Latin dance styles such as mambo, bossa nova, rhumba, cha cha, and merengue were offered free every Sunday night, and the classic fox trot and waltz on Tuesdays, with Vonda Urban as the instructor. After marrying a band leader and music teacher, Galen Williams, on October 16, 1957, she played drums in his dance band – the first female drummer in that time. They divorced in the 1970s.		Beginning in 1954, the vivacious Vonda Urban taught ballroom dancing at the elegant '''Aragon Ballroom''' in Chicago, and became something of a local celebrity. As many as 18,000 patrons visited the venue every week to enjoy the maple dance floor could could hold 8,000 at one time. Six nights a week, radio station WGN broadcast a nationwide hour-long program featuring the famous bands who were playing: the orchestras of Tommy Dorsey, Billy May, Eddy Howard, Teddy Phillips, Dick Jurgens, Chuck Foster, and Buddy Morrow. Lessons in the newest Latin dance styles such as mambo, bossa nova, rhumba, cha cha, and merengue were offered free every Sunday night, and the classic fox trot and waltz on Tuesdays, with Vonda Urban as the instructor. After marrying a band leader and music teacher, Galen Williams, on October 16, 1957, she played drums in his dance band – the first female drummer in that time. They divorced in the 1970s.

	[[File:Vonda Urban 1972 advertisement.png\|right\|160px\|thumb\|~~Advertisment~~ in ''Daily Northwestern'', 1972]]		[[File:Vonda Urban 1972 advertisement.png\|right\|160px\|thumb\|Advertisement in ''Daily Northwestern'', 1972]]
	[[File:Vonda_Urban_diagram.jpg\|right\|200px\|thumb\|Chains and Rounds diagram by Vonda Urban and Irene Stashinski]]		[[File:Vonda_Urban_diagram.jpg\|right\|200px\|thumb\|Chains and Rounds diagram by Vonda Urban and Irene Stashinski]]

SysopJ at 22:38, 13 February 2024

2024-02-13T22:38:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:38, 13 February 2024
Line 2:		Line 2:
	'''Vonda Urban''' was an independent teacher of [[Theosophy]] based in Chicago, Illinois.		'''Vonda Urban''' was an independent teacher of [[Theosophy]] based in Chicago, Illinois.

	The most impressive thing about Vonda was her impersonal and equal treatment of everyone regardless of their failings as humans, part of Nature's evolution. Absolutely non judgemental.<ref>Richard Robb in ~~text message~~ to Michael Conlin. 2023. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref>		The most impressive thing about Vonda was her impersonal and equal treatment of everyone regardless of their failings as humans, part of Nature's evolution. Absolutely non judgemental.<ref>Richard Robb in email to Michael Conlin. 2023. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref>

	== Early life ==		== Early life ==

SysopJ: /* Theosophical work */

2024-02-12T16:11:25Z

Theosophical work

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:11, 12 February 2024
Line 38:		Line 38:
	Her mother was interested in spiritualism, and when attending a spiritualist gathering in Chicago, she heard [[George Cardinal LeGros]], a [[Point Loma]] Theosophist, speak on Theosophy. She told her daughters Irene and Vonda about him, and this led to their life long involvement with Theosophy.		Her mother was interested in spiritualism, and when attending a spiritualist gathering in Chicago, she heard [[George Cardinal LeGros]], a [[Point Loma]] Theosophist, speak on Theosophy. She told her daughters Irene and Vonda about him, and this led to their life long involvement with Theosophy.

	Vonda and Galen became close friends with Cardinal and his wife Elaine, and spent many evenings together. She called those 10 or 12 years the “wonder years.” At one lecture at Cardinal’s home in Chicago, she met[[ Boris de Zirkoff]], the grandnephew of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky\|Madame Blavatsky]]. She would later become a researcher for Boris as he was compiling [[Collected Writings (book)\|H. P. Blavatsky’s collected writings]] and working on his edition of her [[Secret Doctrine (book)\|''Secret Doctrine'']]. She found items he needed at the University of Chicago, Newberry Library, and the Field Museum of Natural History. She also helped proofread the final volumes and index of the [[Collected Writings (book)\|Collected Writings]].<ref>Jon Knebel narrative. Written ca2011. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref>		Vonda and Galen became close friends with Cardinal and his wife Elaine, and spent many evenings together. She called those 10 or 12 years the “wonder years.” At one lecture at Cardinal’s home in Chicago, she met [[ Boris de Zirkoff]], the grandnephew of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky\|Madame Blavatsky]]. She would later become a researcher for Boris as he was compiling [[Collected Writings (book)\|H. P. Blavatsky’s collected writings]] and working on his edition of her [[The Secret Doctrine (book)\|''Secret Doctrine'']]. She found items he needed at the University of Chicago, Newberry Library, and the Field Museum of Natural History. She also helped proofread the final volumes and index of the [[Collected Writings (book)\|''Collected Writings'']].<ref>Jon Knebel narrative. Written ca2011. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref>
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	In 1972, Miss Urban began offering classes in "Esoteric Philosophy as set forth by H. P. Blavatsky and her teachers." She advertised in the ''Daily Northwestern'' and listed her telephone number in the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory under "Philosopher." She hosted five or six classes a week for the rest of her life. "She also taught an astrology class, where the group would read astrological charts. Altogether she taught approximately 1,000 pupils about the philosophy."<ref>Becky Schlikerman, "Vonda Urban, 1918-2011" ''Chicago Tribune'' June 12, 2011.</ref>		In 1972, Miss Urban began offering classes in "Esoteric Philosophy as set forth by H. P. Blavatsky and her teachers." She advertised in the ''Daily Northwestern'' and listed her telephone number in the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory under "Philosopher." She hosted five or six classes a week for the rest of her life. "She also taught an astrology class, where the group would read astrological charts. Altogether she taught approximately 1,000 pupils about the philosophy."<ref>Becky Schlikerman, "Vonda Urban, 1918-2011" ''Chicago Tribune'' June 12, 2011.</ref> One of her students, Jon Knebel, wrote:

	<blockquote>		<blockquote>

SysopJ: /* Early life */

2024-02-12T16:06:16Z

Early life

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:06, 12 February 2024
Line 6:		Line 6:
	== Early life ==		== Early life ==

	Vonda Urban was born as Wanda Urbanovicz on [[December 8]], 1918 in Springfield, Massachusetts. She was the youngest child of ~~Carolina~~ Janik and Michael Urbanovicz. Michael had emigrated from southern Poland in 1904, and Carolina in 1906. They married on November 20, 2013, and settled in Massachusetts, where Michael worked as a baker and later as a salesman.<ref>1920 United States Federal Census.</ref><ref>1930 United States Federal Census.</ref> Their children were Olga (1914), Irene (1915), Witold (1917), and Wanda (1918).<ref>Karolina Janik in 1935 Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991.</ref>		Vonda Urban was born as Wanda Urbanovicz on [[December 8]], 1918 in Springfield, Massachusetts. She was the youngest child of Karolina Janik and Michael Urbanovicz. Michael had emigrated from southern Poland in 1904, and Carolina in 1906. They married on November 20, 2013, and settled in Massachusetts, where Michael worked as a baker and later as a salesman.<ref>1920 United States Federal Census.</ref><ref>1930 United States Federal Census.</ref> Their children were Olga (1914), Irene (1915), Witold (1917), and Wanda (1918).<ref>Karolina Janik in 1935 Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991.</ref>

	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
Line 20:		Line 20:
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	Michael Urbanowicz died in 1942, and his wife ~~Carolina~~ and son Witold moved to Chicago. Vonda and her husband Galen "later took on the responsibility for caring for her brother Witold. To earn a living, and to help support her mother, Vonda worked as a part-time bookkeeper and accountant for many Chicago firms."<ref>Jon Knebel narrative. Written ca2011. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref>		Michael Urbanowicz died in 1942, and his wife Karolina and son Witold moved to Chicago. Vonda and her husband Galen "later took on the responsibility for caring for her brother Witold. To earn a living, and to help support her mother, Vonda worked as a part-time bookkeeper and accountant for many Chicago firms."<ref>Jon Knebel narrative. Written ca2011. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref>

	[[File:Cha cha backstage at Aragon Ballroom.png\|right\|250px\|thumb\|Dancing cha cha backstage at the Aragon Ballroom]]		[[File:Cha cha backstage at Aragon Ballroom.png\|right\|250px\|thumb\|Dancing cha cha backstage at the Aragon Ballroom]]

Janet Kerschner: /* Theosophical work */

2024-02-12T07:42:23Z

Theosophical work

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:42, 12 February 2024
Line 46:		Line 46:
	Vonda wrote many articles for Theosophical magazines including [[Theosophia]], [[The Eclectic Theosophist]], and [[Theosophical History]]. She lectured frequently at the Akbar Lodge in Chicago, and once or twice a year at the [[Olcott (campus)\|Wheaton Illinois headquarters]] of The [[Theosophical Society in America]], several of the Wheaton lectures having been recorded. Vonda was famous for giving away books, pamphlets and recordings at her lectures, and would often have her audience read along with her as she quoted certain passages. She felt it might encourage them to continue their reading after her lecture was concluded.		Vonda wrote many articles for Theosophical magazines including [[Theosophia]], [[The Eclectic Theosophist]], and [[Theosophical History]]. She lectured frequently at the Akbar Lodge in Chicago, and once or twice a year at the [[Olcott (campus)\|Wheaton Illinois headquarters]] of The [[Theosophical Society in America]], several of the Wheaton lectures having been recorded. Vonda was famous for giving away books, pamphlets and recordings at her lectures, and would often have her audience read along with her as she quoted certain passages. She felt it might encourage them to continue their reading after her lecture was concluded.

	Vonda Urban guided and nurtured countless students of Theosophy over the past four decades. Well versed in Theosophy, she was always gentle and caring, always upbeat and inspiring, but also sternly concerned and involved with her fellow students’ growth in the mundane world. She charged us with leading lives that reflected the profound teachings we were studying. Her favorite passage from H. P. Blavatsky’s Voice of the Silence was, “Thou canst not travel on the Path before thou hast become that Path itself.”<ref>Jon Knebel narrative. Written ca2011. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref>		Vonda Urban guided and nurtured countless students of Theosophy over the past four decades. Well versed in Theosophy, she was always gentle and caring, always upbeat and inspiring, but also sternly concerned and involved with her fellow students’ growth in the mundane world. She charged us with leading lives that reflected the profound teachings we were studying. Her favorite passage from H. P. Blavatsky’s [[The Voice of the Silence (book)\|Voice of the Silence]] was, “Thou canst not travel on [[Spiritual Path\|the Path]] before thou hast become that Path itself.”<ref>Jon Knebel narrative. Written ca2011. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref>
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

Janet Kerschner at 07:40, 12 February 2024

2024-02-12T07:40:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:40, 12 February 2024
Line 41:		Line 41:
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	In 1972, Miss Urban began offering classes in "Esoteric Philosophy as set forth by H. P. Blavatsky and her teachers." She advertised in the ''Daily Northwestern'' and listed her telephone number in the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory under "Philosopher." She hosted five or six classes a week for the rest of her life. "She also taught an astrology class, where the group would read astrological charts. Altogether she taught approximately 1,000 pupils about the philosophy."		In 1972, Miss Urban began offering classes in "Esoteric Philosophy as set forth by H. P. Blavatsky and her teachers." She advertised in the ''Daily Northwestern'' and listed her telephone number in the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory under "Philosopher." She hosted five or six classes a week for the rest of her life. "She also taught an astrology class, where the group would read astrological charts. Altogether she taught approximately 1,000 pupils about the philosophy."<ref>Becky Schlikerman, "Vonda Urban, 1918-2011" ''Chicago Tribune'' June 12, 2011.</ref>

	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
Line 49:		Line 49:
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	Her sister Irene worked with her to develop some excellent diagrams depicting [[Chains and Rounds]] and other ~~THeosophical~~ concepts.		Her sister Irene worked with her to develop some excellent diagrams depicting [[Chains and Rounds]] and other Theosophical concepts.

	== Final years ==		== Final years ==

	Vonda continued teaching Theosophy almost to the end of her life. She died of pancreatic cancer on [[June 3]], 2011. ~~Her ashes were buried in Hawai'i~~		Vonda continued teaching Theosophy almost to the end of her life. She died of pancreatic cancer on [[June 3]], 2011.

	== Additional resources ==		== Additional resources ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:47, 1 March 2024
Line 102:		Line 102:
	[[Category:Lecturers\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:Lecturers\|Urban, Vonda]]
	[[Category:Dancers\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:Dancers\|Urban, Vonda]]
	[[Category:Independent ~~Theosophists~~]]		[[Category:Independent]]
	[[Category:Nationality American\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:Nationality American\|Urban, Vonda]]
	[[Category:People\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:People\|Urban, Vonda]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:35, 1 March 2024
Line 102:		Line 102:
	[[Category:Lecturers\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:Lecturers\|Urban, Vonda]]
	[[Category:Dancers\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:Dancers\|Urban, Vonda]]
	[[Category:Independent Theosophists		[[Category:Independent Theosophists]]
	[[Category:Nationality American\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:Nationality American\|Urban, Vonda]]
	[[Category:People\|Urban, Vonda]]		[[Category:People\|Urban, Vonda]]