Eva Olsson

Eva Olsson (http://www.scrapbookpages.com/BergenBelsen/BergenBelsen04.html)

Eva Olsson is a wonderful woman. Now 88 years old she is actively traveling around Canada to schools to speak to children, teenagers, and adults about her experiences during the Holocaust. She uses her message to inspire others against bullying and intolerance. Hearing her speak two years ago was a gift beyond words, and I hope that her message carries on.

Eva Olsson, born Ester Malek, grew up in a family of six children. She was born on October 28th, 1924 in Szatmar, Hungary, where the primary population was Jewish. Eva grew up poor, but loved. On May 15th, 1944 Eva and her family were taken by Nazis from their home to Auschwitz, located in Nazi occupied Poland. She was only 20 years old. While most of her family were killed, Eva's youngest sister, her father, and her brother were chosen to labour in the camps. In total, 87 members of Eva's family were killed by the Nazi's, including her brother and father who would later perish. 50 years after liberation, she did not speak about her experiences. She began talking about the concentration camps in 1996, when her granddaughter asked if she would speak to her elementary class. Her message has not stopped since then.

Me meeting Eva Olsson (Far left) (Myself, taken at SCCHS ())

Why does Eva Olsson inspire me? Eva inspires me because even though she experienced something horrific, and almost unspeakable, she never gave up. She was determined to survive, to make it out of the hell she was in and be free. She also inspires me because she used the terrors of her life to help other people with her story. She speaks about bullying and intolerance. She says that we can only stop it ourselves, and that we all must love each other as a common people. Eva's message is truly inspiring and reminds me that hate only breeds more hate, so we must love each other. Lastly, a reason that Eva is my hero is because her legacy is a reminder that even when I think things are terrible, they could always be worse and I must keep going. She taught me never to give up.

Eva Olsson speaking (http://www.sandiego.edu/peacestudies/ipj/events/past_events/2007/ ())

Eva Olsson now lives in Ontario, but travels all over Canada sharing her story. Her experiences in during World War 2 and the Holocaust spawn a message against bullying and intolerance that has inspired me to be the best person I can and to love everyone. Most of all, her story taught me to never give up. I will forever be thankful for Eva and hope that someday I can meet her again.