How Did Lois Gunden Contribute To The World

There were many heroes, who changed people’s lives for the better during the terrifying events of World War II. However, one person seems to stand out because of her great bravery and compassion. Lois Gunden was a courageous women who truly cared for the lives of children. She was the rescuer of multiple children from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Lois Gunden’s independence, and willingness to help children, regardless of their backgrounds, left an impact on so many lives, as well as the world. Lois Gunden had an interesting life before she made her contribution to help children in World War II. She was a French-American from Goshen, Indiana. She was born February twenty-third, 1915. In Goshen, Indiana, she was a teacher. She

It was a safe haven for Spanish refugee children and Jewish kids. The Jewish children were smuggled from a nearby internment camp called, Riversaltes. This internment camp opened in 1938 and closed in 1970, according to anglophone-direct.com. It was meant to be a housing facility for troops, but it soon became a camp for refugees from the Spanish civil war, and undesirables such as Jews, and gypsies. Lois Gunden created a safe, welcoming environment for these children. She did everything in her power to keep the children safe. She even went out of her way to search the Riversaltes internment camp for any children that she could take in. There were multiple instances where she made excuses for them, and hid children from the authorities. She was caught by the Nazis, but the kids were safe, somewhere else. She ended up being detained by the Nazis in January 1943. However, she was released in a prisoner exchange the next year. After her release, according to Goshen.edu, she returned to Goshen and became a professor. She also became the first women to teach Sunday school at their Mennonite

For example, Ginette Kalish was a girl who was rescued from the internment camp. She was twelve years old at the time, and was terrified of leaving. Lois Gunden created a safe, and welcoming environment. She ensured Ginette that she would be kept safe. Lois kept that promise. One of Lois Gunden’s journal entries revealed her feelings and thoughts as she was doing these courageous acts. It says, “When I heard of how they were finally snatched from the fate hanging over them, I felt as if god must have had a hand in preventing anyone from coming after them during these two days interrupted by calls and telegrams concerning them; had they been taken, efforts would have arrived to camp, likely all late for any good.” This shows that she really had a passion for letting the children flourish, and be safe. According to Goshen.edu, the Goshen college president, James E. Brenneman said “Lois’ courage, compassion, and her service are stirring examples to our college community and to the world that a single person of faith and humanity can make a huge