Answer:
Miep Gies was born on 15 February 1909 in Vienna (Austria) as Hermine Santrouschitz. The Santrouschitz family was Catholic and not well-off. Because there was not a lot of food available after the First World War, Miep even became malnourished. Her family therefore decided to make use of a relief project for Austrian children: in December 1920 they put 11-year-old Miep on the train to the Netherlands to become healthier.
Miep (right) with her foster mother, sister-in-law and foster-sister; around 1921.
Miep (right) with her foster mother, sister-in-law and foster-sister; around 1921.
Photo collection: Anne Frank Stichting, Amsterdam
Miep turns Dutch and stays on with her foster parents Miep ended up in Leiden, where the Nieuwenburg family lovingly received her. In 1924, the family moved to Amsterdam and Miep’s biological parents eventually decided that Miep was so much at home in the Netherlands that it would be better for her to stay there. Her foster parents agreed.When Miep turned 18, she started working as a typist in an embroidery and pleating workshop. When the crisis hit six years later, she was laid fired. Fortunately, her upstairs neighbour knew of another opportunity: she worked as a representative for Otto Frank's business and arranged for an interview with Otto, who was just setting up his Opekta business.Miep was hired. As soon as she had mastered the jam-making process, she was promoted to the ‘Opekta Information Service': the firm’s customer service, where she answered questions by phone and mail.
Some of Otto Frank's employees in 1941. From left to right: Victor Kugler, Esther, Bep Voskuijl, Pine Wuurman and Miep Gies. Esther's last name is unknown. In 1942 Esther and Pine no longer work for Opekta.
Some of Otto Frank's employees in 1941. From left to right: Victor Kugler, Esther, Bep Voskuijl, Pine Wuurman and Miep Gies. Esther's last name is unknown. In 1942 Esther and Pine no longer work for Opekta.
Photo collection: Anne Frank Stichting, Amsterdam
‘It was a matter of course for me, I was able to help these people. We did our human duty: helping people in need’
Miep Gies, Anne Frank Magazine 1998
Miep decides to helpMiep had met Jan Gies in her first job. The two got romantically involved and on 16 July 1941, in the second year of war, the couple married. At that point, Jan was working as a social worker with Social Services of the municipality of Amsterdam. They found a house near the Merwedeplein, where the Frank family lived.Then one day Otto called Miep in and informed her of the plans to go into hiding. He asked Miep if she would be willing to help him and his family if they had to go into hiding in the Secret Annex. Miep did not hesitate for one second.
Cycling to the Secret Annex with MargotWhen Margot received a call-up on 5 July 1942, Otto and Edith Frank decided to go into hiding the next day. They called Miep and Jan, so that they could bring things for the hiding place. The next morning, Miep picked up Margot. Together they cycled to Otto's company on the Prinsengracht. Otto, Edith, and Anne went there on foot.Once they were settled in the hiding place, they quickly established a routine. The helpers divided the work, with Miep taking care of the meat and vegetables. In her diary, Anne wrote: ‘Miep is just like a pack mule, she fetches and carries so much. Almost every day she manages to get hold of some vegetables for us brings everything in shopping bags on her bicycle.’ In addition, Miep brought the people in hiding library books.
The wedding of Miep and Jan Gies, 16 July 1941.
The wedding of Miep and Jan Gies, 16 July 1941.
Photo collection: Anne Frank Stichting, Amsterdam
‘To the outside world, we had to look as relaxed as possible, or people might have grown suspicious.’
Miep Gies, Anne Frank Magazine 1998
‘I'm writing about you, too’In addition to the daily care for the eight people in hiding (the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer joined the Frank family in the Secret Annex), the work for the company had to continue as normal as possible.At the same time, Miep and Jan Gies were hiding someone in their own home from May 1943 onwards. Kuno van der Horst, a 23-year-old student, went into hiding with the Gies family because he had refused to sign a declaration of loyalty to the Nazis.Miep knew that Anne kept a diary. One day she interrupted Anne while she was writing. ‘She gave me a look that I will never forget. She looked furious, grim. And then Anne stood up, slammed her diary shut, and looked down her nose at me. “Yes,” she said, “and I’m writing about you, too.” I did not know what to say. The only thing I could think of was: “I’m sure it’ll be lovely.”’
Explanation:
