Carla Olman Peperzak, a holocaust survivor and member of the Dutch resistance during World War II who helped hide Jewish people during the Nazi invasion of Holland, will be honored in February as Washington’s Person of the Year.
Peperzak, 95, became a US citizen in 1958 and moved to Spokane in 2004. She continues to speak regularly about her experiences as a teenager during WWII which include serving as a messenger for the Underground movement, forging documents to protect Jews from concentration camps and publishing a newsletter about the work of Allied forces.
“Carla Peperzak is a hero. She stood up to unspeakable evil and helped change the course of history,” said Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig. “This recognition is a fitting tribute to a remarkable and courageous person that continues to make sure we never forget the atrocities of the holocaust.”
Billig and other community members are encouraging the Spokane School Board to name a new middle school after Peperzak. You can read Billig’s letter to the board here.
“I can’t think of a more appropriate tribute, but more importantly a middle school named after a hero like Carla will help ensure that the lessons of the holocaust are never forgotten,” Billig said.
Peperzak will be awarded Washington’s Person of the Year on Feb. 20 at the governor’s mansion.
For more information on Peperzak’s award and her work in the Dutch Resistance, click here.
Click here to view a resolution honoring Peperzak in 2015 and click here to view Billig’s floor speech from that day.
