Another tribute to Miep Gies

from the Anne Frank House itself.



The video is in Dutch, but if you go to the lower right corner and choose the up arrow, it will give you the option to turn English or French subtitles on.

You can also sign a condolence book at: http://www.annefrank.org/miepgies

Oh...

She had a long life, but, oh, I'm sorry to hear of Miep Gies' death. Gies was one of the people who helped Anne Frank's family hide during the Holocaust. She is the one who found Anne's diary and saved it, giving it to Otto Frank when he returned, having lost his wife and daughters. She also spoke about her experiences and wrote a memoir of that time. She is a reminder that ordinary people can do honourable things during even the darkest times.

Anne Frank diary guardian Miep Gies dies aged 100

'I am not a hero. I just did what any decent person would have done.'--Miep Gies

Here is a tribute to Miep Gies I found on YouTube:

Miep Gies turns 100 on Sunday

If you don't know who Miep Gies is, then you don't know your Holocaust history. She was one of the office workers who hid the Frank family (including Anne Frank, whose diary became one of the most famous documents of the period) in the Secret Annex of an office building in Amsterdam. She is the last surviving of these 'helpers', who risked their own lives to try to save Jews from the Nazis.

She is also the one who rescued Anne's diary after the the Annex was raided and the family taken away, keeping it for Anne, and when Otto Frank was the only one of his family to return, giving it to him. The diary was later published in many different languages all over the world, and Anne Frank remains the voice many people think of when they consider the Holocaust. Miep Gies has continually told her story over the years in an effort to quell Holocaust deniers. She is a woman of remarkable courage and humility and many would do well to emulate her. I have to admit I had no idea she was still alive. It's nice to know that she has had a long life. I wish her good health and a happy birthday.

See the article Rescuer of Anne Frank's diary marks 100th birthday for more.

I have a copy of the book mentioned in the article, Anne Frank Remembered: the Story of the Woman Who Helped to Hide the Frank Family. Released in 1987, according to the article, a new edition is due out this year. It is an excellent memoir and well worth reading.

Thanks to Steven at Library Stuff for the link.