March 08, 2017
Commemorate Brave Women of the Holocaust with 2017 International Women's Day
Today is International Women's Day, a global celebration of the achievements of women. Join us as we honor and commemorate the women who confronted the Holocaust with resilience, resourcefulness, courage, and humanity.
Millions of women were persecuted and murdered during the Holocaust era. The Nazi regime brutally persecuted both Jewish and non-Jewish women, sometimes in ways unique to the victims' gender. But, a woman was not a target because of her gender. Women in Nazi-occupied Europe were targeted according to the Nazis' racist hierarchy. A woman was targeted because of her religious or political affiliations.
Women held important roles in society and their community. During World War II and the Holocaust, women responded to Nazi oppression in many ways. They resisted, survived, saved lives, and participated in acts of unwavering humanity.
I am not a hero. I stand at the end of the long, long line of good Dutch people who did what I did and more – much more – during those dark and terrible times years ago, but always like yesterday in the heart of those of us who bear witness.” –Miep Gies, Anne Frank Remembered
Anne Frank kept a diary documenting her life hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam. Miep Gies and Bep Voskuijl risked their lives to help hide and care for their Jewish friends. Edith Frank smuggled food to her daughters while imprisoned at the Auschwitz killing center. Auguste van Pels cared for Anne and her sister, Margot, after being reunited at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
Follow us on Twitter @AFintheWorld as we highlight women from this important period of history.
Visit our Anne Frank in the World exhibit in Sandy Springs to learn about Anne Frank.
Learn more about women during the Holocaust.