The Life and Legacy of Miep Gies

Early Life and Arrival in the Netherlands

Born Hermine Santrouschitz on February 15, 1909, in Vienna, Austria, Miep Gies faced challenging circumstances from an early age. Post-World War I Austria was marked by hardship and scarcity, leading to her malnourishment as a child. In a bid to provide her with a better life, her family sent her to the Netherlands in 1920 under a children’s relief program. This decision would set the stage for the remarkable contributions she would later make during another dark period in history.

Adopted by the Nieuwenburg family in Leiden and later moving with them to Amsterdam, Miep assimilated into Dutch society, eventually considering it her home. This was solidified by her decision to stay in the Netherlands after her foster family moved, and later, her marriage to Jan Gies in 1941, which also secured her Dutch citizenship.

Working for Otto Frank

Miep began her career at Otto Frank’s company, Opekta, where she quickly became a trusted employee. Her role involved managing customer service for the company, but her involvement with the Frank family extended far beyond professional boundaries. She developed a close relationship with the Franks, becoming a significant part of their lives.

The Decision to Help

When the Frank family decided to go into hiding in 1942 due to the Nazi occupation, Miep and her husband did not hesitate to help. Their assistance was crucial in setting up and maintaining the Secret Annex, the hidden section of Otto Frank’s office building where the Frank family and others would live for two years. Miep’s role involved managing supplies and communication for the group, often risking her safety to ensure their well-being.

Life in Hiding and the Arrest

The daily life of those in hiding was fraught with danger and difficulty, and Miep was instrumental in managing these challenges. She provided food, books, and emotional support, maintaining a semblance of normalcy in an otherwise perilous situation. However, this period came to an abrupt end in August 1944 when the hiding place was raided by the Nazis, leading to the arrest of the Frank family and others. Miep’s quick thinking allowed her to secure Anne Frank’s diary, which she preserved in the hope of returning it to Anne after the war.

After the War

Following the war and the tragic news of Anne Frank’s death, Miep gave the diary to Otto Frank, who survived the Holocaust. The publication of the diary shed light on the horrors of the war and the enduring spirit of a young girl, making Anne Frank one of the most significant figures of World War II. Miep continued to work with Otto Frank and dedicated much of her later life to preserving Anne’s legacy, sharing her experiences in schools and through her memoir, “Anne Frank Remembered.”

Legacy and Recognition

Miep Gies’s courage and humanity earned her numerous accolades, including being named a Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem. She passed away in 2010 at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and compassion. Her life serves as a testament to the impact one person can have on the lives of many and stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against oppression.

FAQs

• What did Miep Gies do during World War II?
  Miep Gies helped hide Anne Frank and seven others in the Secret Annex above Otto Frank’s business premises in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.
• How did Miep Gies save Anne Frank’s diary?
  After the arrest of the Annex’s occupants, Miep retrieved Anne’s diary papers scattered on the floor of the raided hideout and kept them safe until she could give them to Otto Frank after the war.
• Did Miep Gies ever read Anne Frank’s diary?
  She initially refrained from reading the diary to protect the identities of those involved. She only read it after Otto Frank published it post-war.
• What honors did Miep Gies receive for her actions?
  Miep Gies was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Wallenberg Medal, and the Yad Vashem Righteous Among the Nations, among other honors.
• When did Miep Gies pass away?
  Miep Gies passed away on January 11, 2010, at the age of 100.
• What can we learn from Miep Gies’s story?
  Miep Gies’s story teaches us the importance of courage, compassion, and the impact of individual actions during times of widespread injustice and persecution.