Podcast Summary: The History Chicks – "Miep Gies Part 1"

Released on April 10, 2025

Introduction to Miep Gies

In the premiere episode of "Miep Gies Part 1," hosts Susan and Holly embark on a compelling journey through the life of Miep Gies, a courageous woman who played a pivotal role in sheltering Anne Frank and her family during one of history's darkest periods. This episode delves deep into Miep's early life, her move to the Netherlands, and the burgeoning threats of World War II, setting the stage for her heroic actions.

Early Life in Vienna

Miep Gies, originally named Hermine Santruc, was born on February 15, 1909, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary. Raised in a modest household with her maternal grandparents and uncles, Miep faced economic hardships from a young age. Susan provides a glimpse into her childhood, noting the absence of her father in official records:

Susan [02:08]: "You will read things that have a name, that give a name, but that doesn't appear to be the actual father."

Holly paints a picture of a childhood marked by poverty and the looming shadow of global conflict:

Holly [02:14]: "Bad stuff was a coming."

At the tender age of five, Miep experienced the harsh realities of war firsthand when Austrian military troops marched through her neighborhood, an event that left a lasting impression:

Susan [04:07]: "...she got so excited that she ran out of their apartment, ran down into the street... until somebody... carried her home to her frantic mother who was like, 'you cannot go out there anymore. We're done going outside. It is too dangerous.'"

The economic turmoil in post-World War I Austria led to widespread famine and malnutrition, severely affecting Miep's family. By age eleven, desperate circumstances compelled Miep to leave Austria and seek refuge in the Netherlands:

Holly [06:03]: "The world took notice of the starving children of Austria. And not only that, they took action... And the doctor nods and puts a piece of string around your child's neck..."

A New Life in the Netherlands

Upon arriving in the Netherlands, Miep was placed with the Nievenburg family in Leiden. Adjusting to a new country and language was challenging, but the warmth and generosity of her hosts provided her with stability and comfort. Holly shares her initial bewildered memories of the journey:

Holly [07:30]: "Hermine herself tells the story of her journey with sort of jumbled memories... I don't know, but Miep was bundled onto a train with a lot of other crying children..."

Despite the language barrier, Miep quickly adapted, becoming fluent in Dutch and excelling academically:

Susan [14:01]: "She was very good at it because she'd been in an interview, that's a really good sign. Right? Like, oh, when you meet Mr. So and so... she could get involved in these conversations."

Miep's integration into Dutch society was marked by her involvement in school and her blossoming personal life, including her education and social activities:

Holly [17:53]: "She knew she was being taken care of, even though she wasn't with her. Fortunately, we do know what kind of classes she took and how she was in them... she got fours in all of those."

Meeting Jan Gies and Building Relationships

At the age of sixteen, Miep returned briefly to Vienna, only to realize that her place was firmly within the Netherlands. Following a successful annulment process and with Otto Frank's assistance, she married Jan Gies on July 16, 1941:

Susan [63:10]: "She wrote to him, and she said, can you get this for me? And he tried and tried and tried... So Miep opened an envelope from her uncle... the wedding was on."

Holly emphasizes the emotional significance of their marriage, highlighting the supportive community that surrounded them:

Holly [68:40]: "All the Franks came. The whole office came... This might be some of the last happy photos of the Franks, especially Anne and Margot, that we have available to us."

Their union not only solidified Miep's place in Dutch society but also forged strong bonds with the Frank family and other Jewish colleagues, including the Van Pels and Fritz Pfeffer.

The Escalation of Nazi Oppression

As World War II intensified, the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands brought increasing peril to Jewish residents. The hosts outline the systematic oppression and brutal enforcement of anti-Semitic laws:

Susan [33:24]: "Hitler had a strategy where he wouldn't take fault for anything. He would always find somebody else to blame... Jewish people were scapegoated."

The Dutch civil unrest, marked by a massive general strike, was brutally suppressed, with Jewish individuals bearing the brunt of the reprisals. Miep herself faced direct threats when her Austrian passport was invalidated:

Holly [43:07]: "In 1944... And Otto Frank had this great idea. Just go get the page with your picture and your name and send that and see if your uncle can get your birth certificate with that."

Despite the mounting dangers, Miep and her husband Jan worked diligently to protect their Jewish colleagues by transferring business roles to non-Jewish counterparts, thereby safeguarding their company's future.

The Franks' Decision to Go into Hiding

The culmination of escalating Nazi aggression led Otto Frank to make a life-altering decision. Recognizing the imminent threats, he decided to place his family in hiding. In a poignant moment, he entrusts Miep with this responsibility:

Susan [73:51]: "He said, 'do you understand the punishments you're facing?'...I know I will help you."

Miep's unwavering commitment is encapsulated in her reflection on that pivotal moment:

Susan [73:51]: "There is a look between two people once or twice in a lifetime that cannot be described by words. That look passed between us."

Conclusion of Part 1

As the episode concludes, Susan and Holly leave listeners on the brink of the Franks' imminent hiding, setting the stage for the next installment. The narrative arc so far has beautifully illustrated Miep Gies's transformation from a malnourished child fleeing war-torn Austria to a confident, resourceful woman integral to one of history's most enduring stories.

Holly [74:08]: "That is where we are going to leave Miep and the Franks for part one of our story. And when we come back, we will go into the details of what happened when they were forced to put their plans into action."

Listeners are left with a profound appreciation for Miep's courage and the intricate web of relationships that underpinned the safety of the Frank family during such perilous times.

Final Thoughts

"Miep Gies Part 1" offers a richly detailed portrayal of a woman whose quiet strength and moral fortitude made a lasting impact on history. Through thorough research and engaging storytelling, Susan and Holly bring to life the circumstances that shaped Miep's heroic actions, laying a strong foundation for the unfolding narrative in subsequent episodes.

Notable Quotes

• Susan [04:07]: "You cannot go out there anymore. We're done going outside. It is too dangerous."

• Susan [73:51]: "There is a look between two people once or twice in a lifetime that cannot be described by words. That look passed between us."

Conclusion

For those unfamiliar with Miep Gies or the historical context of Anne Frank's hiding, this episode serves as an enlightening and heartfelt introduction. It not only honors Miep's invaluable contributions but also provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the broader societal and political forces at play during that era.

Stay tuned for "Miep Gies Part 2," where Susan and Holly will delve deeper into the suspenseful and heroic measures taken to shelter the Frank family.