Miep Gies

Miep Gies never knew that she would risk her life to help a friend and his family from the Nazis. She thought that the Nazis would surrender and end the madness soon, but the terror worsened. In 1942, Otto Frank asked Miep a big favor that would forever change her life.

After experiencing the harsh events of World War I, Miep moved to Amsterdam in 1922 to live with her adoptive parents. Eleven years later, she met Mr. Otto Frank and his family (while she was working with him as a secretary) and quickly developed a bond between them. Miep had also officially become a Dutch citizen after marrying Jan Gies in 1941.

Peace was lost at Holland when the Nazis took over. Mr. Frank had announced that he and his family would go into hiding and asked Miep if she would help them to. At first, it was illegal to help a Jew but Miep didn’t care and gladly said that she would, but knowing that she was also putting her life at the line.

Young Miep (http://www.annefrank.org/upload/Onderduiken/Onderduiken_portret%20MIep%20Gies.JPG)

For two years, Miep along with four other helpers had helped the Franks (along with the Van Pels and Dr. Pfeffer) with food and support. It was great until an anonymous caller betrayed the annex and had the Franks, Van Pels, and Dr. Pfeffer arrested by the Nazis. Miep avoided the arrest because one of the Nazi officers was also from Vienna, Austria, and felt pity for her so he let off her with a warning. After the arrests, Miep found Anne’s Diary and hid it in a desk drawer for safekeeping so Anne could later on return for it.

Miep Gies (http://www.miepgies.dk/miepgies.jpg)

However, Tragedy struck in 1945. It was reveled that Anne Frank died at Bergen-Belsen and so, Miep Gies handed the diary to Otto Frank (who was the only one in the group that survived) and they both had the diary published to the world in 1947, making it one of the world’s most read non-fiction books.

Miep Gies has always been a hero to me because of her courageous act of hiding the Franks and others, even though she would be killed for hiding Jews. She also had given them a chance for hope and freedom even though it lasted for two years. Miep Gies had taught me that I could be a hero too if I can make a difference in someone’s life, by bringing up the courage.