Born: May 5, 1908 (Cork, Ireland)
Biography:
Mary Elmes, also known as Marie Elisabeth Jean Elmes, was an Irish aid worker who played a vital role in saving the lives of over 200 Jewish children during the Holocaust. Born on May 5, 1908, in Cork, Ireland, Mary grew up in a religiously diverse family. Her father, Edward Elmes, was a pharmacist from Waterford, while her mother, Elizabeth Waters, hailed from Cork. Mary had a younger brother named John, who later took over their family’s pharmacy business.
Mary received her early education at Rochelle School in Cork before enrolling at Trinity College Dublin in 1928. Known for her exceptional intellect, she was elected as a Scholar and graduated with a first-class degree in Modern Literature, specializing in French and Spanish. Her academic prowess earned her a scholarship in International Studies at the London School of Economics in 1935. Subsequently, she pursued further studies in Geneva, Switzerland, where she continued to excel in her field.
During the Spanish Civil War in 1937, Mary joined the University Ambulance Unit and was deployed to a children’s hospital in Almeria, Spain. Her experience there ignited her passion for humanitarian work and provided her with invaluable skills that would later prove crucial in saving the lives of many Jewish children. In January 1939, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a Quaker humanitarian organization, appointed Mary to run a hospital in Alicante.
As World War II broke out, Mary’s courage and dedication to helping others became even more evident. In 1942, as the Vichy authorities in France intensified their efforts to persecute and deport Jewish individuals, Mary became actively involved in rescuing Jewish children. With support from her colleagues, she helped numerous children find safe houses and escape the country altogether. Mary took extraordinary risks by hiding children in the boot of her car and driving them to secure locations. She also assisted in procuring forged documents to aid their escape through the undercover network in Vichy France. While she worked closely with Quaker organizations, it is worth noting that Mary herself was not a Quaker, despite occasionally being referred to as the head of the Quaker delegation at Perpignan.
Mary’s selfless actions did not go unnoticed. In 2015, she became the first and only Irish person to be honored as Righteous Among the Nations by the State of Israel. This prestigious recognition celebrated her tireless efforts in both the Spanish Civil War and World War II.
Mary Elmes’s unwavering commitment to saving lives and her bravery in the face of grave danger made her an extraordinary figure in history. Her actions exemplified the profound impact one individual can have in the face of immense adversity. Mary’s story continues to inspire future generations to stand up against injustice and to lend a helping hand to those in need.
Awards:
– Righteous Among the Nations (2015)