Introduction

This project explores the stories of:

Marie Schmolka - Jewish aid worker and Zionist, League of Nations representative for refugees.
Niueta Teitelbaum - 24 year old Jewish resistance fighter nicknamed “Little Wanda With the Braids"
Renia Kukielka - Jewish women who was an underground courier and operative
Noor Inayat Khan - Indian-Muslim and American pacifist turned Allied spy for the British Special Operation Executive

This was written by: R. Mamet, T. Zegdoun, and W. Soun-Dam

Marie Schmolka - Refugee Aid and Resistance

Who? Jewish aid worker, League of Nations representative for refugees.
What? Helped thousands escape Nazi persecution (Jews, communists, dissidents).
When? 1933-1940 (active from Nazi rise to power, died 1940).
Where? Czechoslovakia, France, Poland, UK.
Why? To save lives and resist Nazi oppression by relocating refugees.
How? Coordinated emigration, attended Évian Conference, organized Kindertransport, negotiated with Nazis.

"Schmolka was a global player in saving refugees from Nazi Germany." (Robert Tait 2019)

Effectiveness: Helped thousands escape, coordinated international efforts, groundwork for major resettlement programs.

Legacy: Her work was overshadowed until recently; Prague awarded her honorary citizenship in 2025.

Who? Niuta Teitelbaum (“Little Wanda With the Braids”), Renia Kukielka, and other Jewish women.
What? Fought Nazis with espionage, sabotage, assassinations, courier work, and support networks.
When? WWII, especially early 1940s.
Where? Poland (Warsaw, Jedrzejow, Bedzin), ghettos.
Why? Driven by justice, rage, survival, and dignity.
How? Disguises, smuggling, direct attacks, spreading information, organizing support.

Effectiveness: Inspired resistance in 90+ ghettos, enabled 30,000+ Jews to join partisans, delayed Nazi plans, saved lives.

Legacy: Their stories were rediscovered and documented to reclaim lost history and inspire future generations.

Who? Indian-Muslim and American pacifist, Allied spy for the British SOE.
What? Radio operator in Nazi-occupied Paris, supported French Resistance.
When? 1943.
Where? Paris, France.
Why? To resist Nazi tyranny.
How? Trained in espionage, used false identities, smuggled supplies, conducted solo wireless operations.

"In the moments before her execution she is thought to have shouted 'Liberté!'" (Shrabani Basu n.d.)

Effectiveness: Replaced six radio operators, strengthened Allied intelligence, demonstrated courage and nonviolence.

Legacy: Her actions exemplified bravery and the impact of women in resistance movements.

Basu, Shrabani. n.d. "From Pacifist to Spy: WWII's Surprising Secret Agent - Shrabani Basu." TED. TED-Ed. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://ed.ted.com/lessons/from-pacifist-to-spy-wwii-s-surprising-secret-agent-shrabani-basu.
Batalion, Judy. 2021. “The Nazi-Fighting Women of the Jewish Resistance.” New York Times. New York Times. March 18, 2021. https://extragoodshit.phlap.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Opinion-The-Nazi-Fighting-Women-of-the-Jewish-Resistance-1.html.
Tait, Robert. 2019. “Prague to Honour Little-Known Saviour of Refugees Fleeing Nazis.” The Guardian, November 9, 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/10/prague-honour-little-known-saviour-refugees-fleeing-nazis-marie-schmolka.