Dr. Pogonowska was born in Warsaw in wealthy, assimilated family of Jewish intelligence. Her father Maurycy Asterblum (born 28 May 1866), lawyer, graduated from Imperial University of Warsaw, mother Salomea née Kernbaum (born 1 June 1869) Jadwiga Sikorska's private school for girls. From both mother's and father's side, Dr. Pogonowska was related with Jewish intelligence: cousine Jadwiga Kernbaum, artist and head of ornamental society, married historian Marceli Handelsman; cousin from the father's side Izydor Asterblum was doctor of medicine, after his death the widow became wife of biochemist Jakub Parnas.