Monday, May 12, 2008

In Tribute to a Woman Who Saved 2,500 Lives

I only have one quibble with the ending line of the AP story that recalls the life of Irena Sendler, who died today at age 98. Sendler heroically smuggled out approximately 2,500 Jewish babies and children in Poland during World War II, repeatedly risking her life, and then risking it again when the Nazis finally discovered her and tortured her in prison, trying to get her to reveal the names of those children—names she had carefully hidden. The AP story ends this way: “Sendler is survived by her daughter and a granddaughter.”

No, Sendler is survived not only by that daughter and granddaughter, but also by the 2,500 children she saved, and the unknowable number of children and grandchildren they brought to life. These souls, too, must be credited to Irena Sendler. This woman lived according to the philosophy her father taught her, that “people can be only divided into good or bad; their race, religion, nationality don’t matter.”

Rest in peace, Irena Sendler. And thank you for your bravery. 

Posted by judy @ 05:22 PM • (0) Comments  

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