Born: 1920 (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Died: 2012
Biography:
Tina Strobos (née Tineke Buchter; May 19, 1920 – February 27, 2012) was a Dutch physician and psychiatrist from Amsterdam, known for her extraordinary resistance work during World War II. Born into a family with a deep commitment to social justice, Strobos dedicated her life to saving Jewish refugees from persecution and certain death under the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Through her courageous actions, she rescued more than 100 individuals, providing them with shelter, support, and a glimmer of hope in the darkest of times.
Tina Strobos grew up in a family that valued compassion, freedom, and equality. Her parents, Marie Schotte and Alphonse Buchter, were secular humanists and outspoken advocates for social justice. Fluent in multiple languages, her parents encouraged intellectual curiosity and nurtured a commitment to helping others. Strobos’ maternal grandfather had founded a freethinking movement, and her maternal grandmother had been involved in the labor movement. The family had a long history of offering shelter to those in need, having previously taken in refugees from earlier conflicts.
At the age of ten, Strobos’ parents divorced, and she went on to live with her mother. It was during her teenage years that her passion for psychiatry and the study of the human mind began to develop. Strobos was determined to become a psychiatrist and enrolled in medical school to pursue her dream.
However, with the outbreak of World War II and the German invasion of the Netherlands in 1940, Strobos’ studies were interrupted. The occupation presented a grave threat to the Jewish population, and Strobos felt compelled to take action. Alongside her mother and grandmother, she became actively involved in the Dutch resistance, risking her life to save Jewish refugees.
Strobos provided her own house as a hiding place for Jews on the run, constructing a secret attic compartment where they could seek refuge. To ensure their safety, she developed a sophisticated warning bell system to alert the hidden individuals of imminent danger during sudden police raids. Strobos also smuggled guns and radios for the resistance and forged passports to help refugees escape the country.
Despite being arrested and interrogated nine times by the feared Gestapo, Strobos never divulged the whereabouts of the Jews she was protecting. Her unwavering commitment to their safety and her remarkable ability to withstand intense pressure earned her the admiration and respect of those who benefited from her heroic efforts.
After the war, Tina Strobos resumed her medical studies and completed her degree. Her steadfast determination and resilience led her to pursue a career in psychiatry. She had the opportunity to be mentored by Anna Freud in England, where she deepened her understanding of mental health and trauma.
Strobos later emigrated to the United States under a Fulbright scholarship to continue her studies and settled in New York City. She built a successful career as a family psychiatrist, dedicating her expertise to helping individuals overcome their psychological challenges. In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the medical field, Strobos was awarded the prestigious Elizabeth Blackwell Medal in 1998.
Throughout her life, Tina Strobos remained committed to promoting peace, justice, and healing. Her selfless actions during World War II left an indelible impact on the lives of those she saved and served as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion and resistance in the face of oppression.
In 1989, Strobos was honored as Righteous Among the Nations by the Holocaust memorial institution Yad Vashem. This distinguished recognition was a testament to her extraordinary heroism and unwavering dedication to preserving the lives of countless individuals. In 2009, she was further recognized for her efforts by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center of New York City.
Tina Strobos passed away on February 27, 2012, leaving behind a lasting legacy of courage, resilience, and compassion. Her unwavering commitment to protecting those in need, especially during the darkest times in history, continues to inspire generations and serves as a profound example of the pivotal role women have played in shaping history.