December 8, 2011 · Rose Williams, 84, one of three living Holocaust survivors in San Antonio. She spoke to students at Nimitz Middle School on December 2 about her experiences at the concentration camp.
“It’s very difficult because, after I go home and sleep — horrible dreams about it. But I feel it’s my duty to do it, to speak, let the people know what went on.”
Williams has talked to school children for three years about her life in Auschwitz. She shared stories of unimaginable situations, being separated from her family and beaten by invading German forces.
Williams may have lost some hope at the time, but she says it was restored when she was reunited with her sister during the Holocaust. That hope in people persists to this day.
“Oh, I always felt that, and I still do. I still believe there’s a lot of good in a lot of people. There’s bad and good people in every nation and every town.”
Arien Adams is the mother of a 14-year-old daughter, Sage. She believes keeping the stories alive is vital and thinks tyranny is alive and well today, even for these middle school children.
“And so when you look at bullying at schools or any situation, it’s a call for all of us to stand for the right to fight against tyranny and all oppression in the world.”
“It makes me open my eyes and realize that we are so blessed,” Sage says.
Williams’ memoir is called “Our Lives” and is available in bookstores. |
