Northwestern Region

Soroptimist International of Florence Oregon Welcomes
Hanneke Ippisch

submitted by Jo Hine, SI Florence

Soroptimist International of Florence welcomed Hanneke Ippisch to Florence and surrounding communities, for the week, October 11 – 18, 2005, of informative talks about her WWII experiences as a Dutch Resistance Fighter.

Hanneke is a true heroine, having helped save many Jewish children by taking them to Dutch farm families to be fostered, thereby avoiding the concentration camps and certain death. Her talks always end, stating that although she suffered personally at the hands of the German army, and was terribly affected by their eradication of her Jewish neighbors and friends, she does not hate them. “Hate is a negative thing”, she states.

She further admonishes her audience to never allow intolerance, bigotry, and to try at all costs to avoid war. “Use negotiation at all times”, she told us.

Hanneke was willing to spend her time with the citizens of our communities because she feels it very necessary to remind all of the terrible lessons of war. She came even though her husband was very ill at the time. Soroptimist of Florence, and all who heard her will treasure the time she spent with us.

Hanneke is shown here, in the World History class of Karen Perry, autographing a copy of her book SKY for a young admirer. Also shown is club member Jo Hine, who escorted Hanneke to her various speaking engagements.

For more information about Soroptimist in the Northwestern Region, click here.