Born: November 7, 1920 (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Biography:
Marion Philippina Pritchard was born on November 7, 1920, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She grew up in a liberal and supportive family, with her father, Jacob van Binsbergen, being a judge on the board of regents for the prisons of Amsterdam. Pritchard’s parents encouraged her to express her feelings and seek honest answers, fostering a sense of empathy and compassion within her.
In her teenage years, Pritchard attended school alongside Jewish students who were considered equals in Dutch society. This upbringing shaped her worldview and influenced her commitment to equality and justice. At the age of 19, she enrolled in a school for social work in Amsterdam, embarking on a path that would lead her to become a remarkable figure in the history of the Holocaust.
In May 1940, the German Army invaded and occupied the Netherlands. During this time, Pritchard was arrested while staying overnight with friends who were involved in distributing transcripts of Allied radio broadcasts. Unbeknownst to her, her friends’ activities posed a threat to the German forces, and she was subsequently imprisoned for seven months.
The turning point in Pritchard’s life occurred in the spring of 1942 when she witnessed a horrific incident. She saw Jewish children, including babies and eight-year-olds, being violently rounded up and thrown into trucks by Nazi soldiers. Two women who tried to intervene were also taken away. This event deeply affected Pritchard, prompting her to realize the urgency of rescuing Jewish lives.
Motivated by a sense of moral duty, Pritchard joined the Dutch underground and began her courageous work of saving Jews from persecution. Initially, she provided essential support by delivering food, clothing, and forged identification papers to those in hiding. Recognizing the vulnerability of Jewish infants, she registered them as her own children and placed them in safe, non-Jewish households.
As her activities grew more perilous, Pritchard took on increasingly dangerous tasks. On one occasion, she was entrusted with delivering a crucial package to a home in the northern part of the country. Along the way, a stranger handed her a baby girl, adding to the risks she faced. Undeterred, she not only completed her mission but also discovered that the people at the destination were part of the resistance network. This encounter affirmed her dedication and emboldened her to continue her life-saving efforts.
Pritchard’s greatest act of defiance against Nazi oppression came when she shot dead a Dutch informer working with the Germans. She took this drastic action to protect the lives of Dutch Jewish children, fully aware of the grave risks and consequences. Her determination and willingness to make personal sacrifices exemplify the extraordinary bravery shown by individuals during the darkest days of World War II.
In recognition of her heroism and commitment to saving Jewish lives, Marion Pritchard received numerous accolades. Her name was added to the list of the Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. This prestigious acknowledgment is given to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.
Marion Pritchard’s selflessness and unwavering dedication to upholding human dignity make her an inspirational figure. Through her actions, she not only saved approximately 150 Dutch Jews, most of them children, but also left a lasting legacy of bravery and compassion. Her story serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength displayed by individuals in the face of adversity, and her contributions to women’s history exemplify the powerful impact women can have on shaping a more just and equitable world.
Awards:
– Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem (date unknown)