Miep Gies

"Ordinary people, even weak people, can do extraordinary things." This insightful quote from Michael Josephson describes Miep Gies well.

Gies born on February 15th, 1909 as Hermine Santrouschitz during the beginning of World War I. Food shortages were common and by the age 11, Gies was a scrawny malnourished girl. Transferred through an exchange program for needy children, Gies found herself in Amsterdam at the age of 13. When Gies was 21, she had already transformed into a lively young woman. Seeking independence, Gies searched all over Amsterdam for a job. When news of a job opening at Otto Frank's homemaking company came, she immediately applied for the position. Her acceptance into Otto Frank's office resulted in friendship between her and Mr. Frank. World War II was on the horizon, the Frank family and their friends, the Van Pels, decided to go into hiding. Gies accepted the responsibility of bringing daily necessities for the two families. She never backed down from the imminent dangers of Hitler's animosity, she valued other people's lives before her own. She sympathized with the people in hiding taking extra time to understand their feelings. Even after all these events, Gies remained a humble person stating "I am not a hero" (Anne Frank Remembered 11). Gies is an admirable woman of selflessness, compassion, and humility and she inspires the ordinary citizens of the world to help those in need.

Miep GiesRob Bogaerts / Anefo [CC BY-SA 3.0 nl (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/nl/deed.en)]

Miep Gies selflessly helped the people in hiding for nearly two years. She accepted the hardships that came with her duty and placed other's needs before her own. As World War II was about to begin, Otto Frank approached Gies with a question that had no easy answer: "'Miep, are you willing to take the responsibility of taking care of us while we are in hiding?'' Of course,' I answered'Miep, for those who help the Jews, the punishment is harsh; imprisonment, perhaps-' I cut him off.'I said,'of course' I meant it'" (Anne Frank Remembered 88). Gies did not spend any time dwelling on the hardships that would befall her if she agreed to help. Instead, she quickly consented to Mr. Frank's request demonstrating her true bravery and selflessness. When Otto Frank attempted to inform Gies of all the terrible things that could possibly happen to her, she interrupted him, not worried about consequences. To others this might seem irresponsible, but her disregard towards that subject matter demonstrated her lack of interest in her own safety. Gies did not only apply her virtuous nature once during those devastating times, she also reinstated her beliefs when interviewed: "The Washington Post reported her as having said,'We did our duty as human beings. Helping people in need'" (Newsmakers). This quote revealed Gies' motive for helping the Jewish people in hiding. It was not for the fame, nor fortune, and not even for the recognition. She acted upon her standards of what the human duty was. Even though she was interviewed many years after, her steadfast belief remaind unchanged, her spirit strong in the goodness of the human heart. Gies' decision to help Mr. Frank exemplify her selfless character and demonstrated how ordinary acts of kindness go a long way during terrible times.

Gies not only helped the families in hiding, but she also desired a mutual level in understanding in order to better comprehend their feelings. Anne Frank constantly asked Gies for a "sleepover" which led eventually led to Gies' consent. She later recounted this experience: "All through the night I heard each ringing of the Westertoren clock. I never slept; I couldn't close my eyes...The fright of these people who were locked up here was so thick I could feel it pressing down on me. It was like a thread of terror pulled taut...For the first time I knew what it was like to be a Jew in hiding" (Anne Frank Remembered 129). Miep Gies' job responsibility was simply to bring groceries and necessities to the families in hiding. Yet she still took the extra step went out of her way to live a night as a Jewish refugee. Gies wanted to better her understanding of the situation and the emotions entwined with the events. From this significant event, Gies could further her relationship with the people in hiding, which strengthened the bonds they had together. After the enlightening stay at the Annex, Gies was more aware of the feelings the people in hiding had and noticed Mrs. Frank's distress, Gies found a solution: "I would listen with a sympathetic ear to whatever Mrs. Frank needed to say. And then, when I could stay no longer, I would have to break into the talk, because some chore or other was waiting. I would promise that we would talk again next time" (Anne Frank Remembered 166). Gies is aware of others' emotions, and she took the initiative and tried to comfort them. Her sympathy for Mrs. Frank justified her as a compassionate and intuitive person. Even though days during the war caused a lot of stress and work, Gies still visited Mrs. Frank as a daily ritual, just so Mrs. Frank would feel more relaxed. She was genuinely concerned for Mrs. Frank's wellbeing and comfort. Gies went above and beyond what was required and took the time to understand her friends which demonstrated her compassionate heart and kind soul.

Even after all the recognition Gies received for helping the Jewish people in hiding, she still remained humble. Gies claimed she only did what was necessary. Although Gies thought little of her assistance, she still received a noble award for her actions: "Despite her own beliefs that she was not a hero, she was presented with the highest honor given to civilians by the West German government in 1989, and she was knighted in 1996 by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands." (Newsmakers). Gies gained recognition from her acts of bravery. Even though Gies thought her actions were not of much importance, she still gained many people's trust andadmiration. She also denied her heroism in the prologue of her published book: "I am not a hero. I stand at the end of the long, long line of good Dutch people who did what I did or more-much more- during those dark andterrible times years ago..." (Anne Frank Remembered 11). Gies rejected the title of hero that others call her and praised other Dutch people before herself. She directed the limelight towards other people that performed equally as important tasks. Gies also acknowledged the other forces during the Holocaust, saying that she was simply one of many that chose to do the right thing. She helped the Jewish people out of the goodness in her heart. She never desired anything in return for her deeds, her friends' gratitude and safety was payment enough. Even when she was bestowed with great honor, Gies remained modest. Her humble nature defines her as a heroic person.

"But even an ordinary secretary or a housewife or a teenager can, within their own small ways, turn on a small light in a dark room (Freedom Writers)." Miep Gies, portrayed by Pat Caroll, said this inspirational quote in hopes of influencing others to reach out and help a person in need. It does not take a special person to do the right thing just like how it does not take much to brighten up a dark room. Only a small light bulb is needed to begin the reaction. Much like a circuit, each light triggers the next, illuminating the world with random acts of kindness. Gies demonstrated her bravery and altruism for her own well-being. She focused her time and energy into the safety of her friends. She brought groceries in a monotonous pattern each day without a single complaint, Gies' compassion and care for others is never ending. She remained a woman of humility, and stated her contributions as something anyone could do. I am in awe of her unwavering bravery during the Holocaust. She has inspired me and many others to reach out to people in need through acts of selflessness. Perhaps I can donate a bit of my time each weekend and help out at a soup kitchen or at the local library. These are both little things I am able to do that will help others and hopefully brighten up their days. Ordinary people really can do extraordinary things and this "ordinary" Dutch citizen simply doing "what seemed necessary at the time" (Anne Frank Remembered 11) set an example of herself as a courageous, compassionate, and modest person of great character and virtue.