by Tricia White | Managing Editor
At 92 years old, Holocaust survivor Marie “Rie” Spronk-Hughes might take a little longer to reach the podium, and her soft-spoken nature often requires listeners to lean in closely to catch her words—a reflection of her poised and graceful presence. However, bring up the topic of bullying and this gentle soul transforms into a fierce advocate.
Rie and her sister Katy emerge as the central figures in The Red Handkerchief: A Holocaust Memoir, authored by Y.M. (Yvonne) Ward-Hughes, who also happens to be Rie’s daughter. This brave memoir chronicles the true tale of Rie and Katy, detailing their capture and detention at the hands of the Nazis. In 1941, these two Roman-Catholic sisters were working at a raincoat factory in Amsterdam that was commandeered by the Nazis, forcing them to produce Nazi uniforms. Protesting against this injustice, the sisters, aged 19 and 20, joined a nationwide strike and began sabotaging the uniforms. Their resistance led to their arrest in 1944 and subsequent imprisonment in Vught Concentration Camp for opposing the brutality they witnessed daily, including the deportation of their Jewish colleagues.
Among the items the sisters were made to wear in camp was a distinctive red handkerchief. In an effort to commemorate the courageous women in her barracks, Rie encouraged each one of them to sign the handkerchief with their names and personal messages.
For 57 years, Rie refrained from discussing her traumatic past until her daughter encouraged her to share her story with Dr. Ariel Levy, a historian at the Houston Holocaust Museum. Today, this red handkerchief is featured in a permanent exhibit at the museum.
Together, Yvonne and Rie visit schools to communicate their message on anti-bullying. Here are some highlights from a recent presentation to eighth graders in Plano:
“Thank you for sharing your story. I can’t fathom what it must have been like to be taken from your home. You stood firmly for your beliefs…you are incredibly strong for never giving up, having no regrets, and above all, for maintaining hope.”– Itzel R.
“Listening to you has inspired me to advocate for my beliefs, regardless of the risks involved. Even the smallest actions can greatly influence the world.”– Iris L.
“Now that I’ve heard your experiences, I feel empowered to confront injustice. I want to join you in combating it.”– Avery K.
