Miep Gies: Not an Ordinary Hero

Miep Gies was a woman who had an extraordinary history. She helped hide the Franks and others from the Germans. Also, she kept Anne’s diaries so she could publish it. Finally, she was awarded the Grand Decoration of honour for services to the Republic of Austria. She was one of the most amazing women in history. Miep Gies helped many, kept Anne’s diary, and was honored.

       Miep Gies helped the Franks escape from the Germans. She describes in the article, “Miep Gies: Helping the Hider in the Secret Annex”, “When we arrived at the Frank apartment, few words were exchanged. I could feel their urgency, an uncurrent of near panic. But I could see that much needed to be organized and prepared. It was all too terrible.” In the book, Diary of a Young Girl, it states, “At eleven o’clock, Miep and Henk Van Saten arrived. Once again, shoes, stockings, books and clothes disappeared into Miep’s bag and Henk’s deep pockets.” Miep was asked by Otto Frank to help them. She knew it was an illegal act. Miep accepted this offer and hid them for two years. She did this until word came out that Jews were hiding in the Annex.

       Once the Franks were taken away, Miep found Anne’s diary. After all the commotion, Miep kept the diary in her dresser. Once Otto came back, Miep gave the diary back to Otto. Otto explains, “Miep, I have come to you because, out of all the people that are left, you and Jan are dearest to me.” Otto started reading the diary to other Jews. Miep helped him publish it for Anne. Miep exclaims in the article, “Miep Gies: Working Life”, “Though I wept a lot, I kept thinking, ‘Anne, you gave me one of the finest presents I ever got.’” That is what she said when reading her book.

       Because of her heroic actions in the 1930s-1940s, she was awarded for her deeds. She was presented the Grand Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria. She also lived to be 100 years old. She exclaims, “I am one hundred years old now. That is an admirable age, and I have even reached it in fairly good health. So then it's fair to say I've been fortunate, and being fortunate seems to be the red thread running through my life.” She also states, “In those dark days during the war, we didn't stand on the sidelines. We offered a helping hand, we committed our very lives. We couldn't have done any more than that.”

Miep Gies was one heroic, fantastic, and amazing woman. She will always be remembered for what she did. She helped the Franks go into hiding from the Germans. She helped publish Anne Frank's diary. Finally, she was awarded for her kind, helping hand. Miep Gies was out of the ordinary.