I am grateful to have an opportunity to testify of the reality of the Holocaust because I know beyond a doubt it truly took place. While living in Poland for several years I felt the after-effects of the horrors that took place. A feeling of oppression and fear remain in these areas wracked by human cruelty. I read many books and heard personal stories passed on to children and grandchildren of specific incidents related to the Holocaust.
I visited Paviawk Women’s Pprison many times as it was in central Warsaw. I always sought accounts of curage and comradely in stories of the Holocaust period. Dr. Nono is one of my favorite heroes. She had to treat the tortured prisoners and yet she remained positive, was daring enough to smuggle letters to the prisoners and even delivered babies of the unfortunate imprisoned females. There was a saying in Warsaw “If you feel depressed and no longer want to live, come to Pawiak and see Dr. Nono who will cheer you.”
I was hoping to write a story about a dear nurse there, Dr, Irene Kononowicz, fondly referred to as “Dr. Nono”. Her picture is on page 44 of the Pawiak booklet. I’m including a collection of photos from Auschwitz which we visited just a few hours from Warsaw by train.
In a Warsaw apartment, I heard some first-hand reports of the treatment and conditions in the camp from an actual survivor who was still reliving the horrors she experienced. As translated for myself by my Polish-speaking friend, she related how she was evidently a prisoner at age 6 and was forced to do hard labor carrying heavy rocks that broke her back. She was bent-over and still in pain. A couple times while telling of her history she raised her hand to hail Hitler.
Very tragic.
Thank you for this opportunity to share my exposure to the Holocaust with
you students,
Vicki Clark—Sierra’s Grandmother
