Sara Niemoeller addresses students
Widow of Holocaust survivor shares her experiences
"Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak
out for me" was written by Pastor Martin Niemoeller, a concentration camp survivor who has been called Hitler's only private prisoner. On Oct. 4, Martin's widow, Sara Niemoeller, shared her personal history and experience with an audience of Xavier students and faculty as part of the October "Touching History" series, put on by the Center for Interfaith Community Engagement. Niemoeller was born in Potsdam, Germany and moved to Berlin when she was six years old. When she was eight years old, Martin Niemoeller became the Pastor of her local church. After being a U-boat commander in World War I, Martin Niemoeller decided to become a pastor after his father
told him that it was the "freest profession you can have."
As Niemoeller's father was against the Nazi movement,
her family became close with Martin and his relatives. As time progressed, Martin also started acting out against the Nazi movement. "He became an outspoken enemy of the Nazis from his pulpit," Niemoeller said. One day, in 1937, Martin came face-to-face with Hitler who addressed
him directly. After this address, Martin rebuked. Martin was then arrested. He had a regular court trial with over 60 charges, including treason. Although Martin was acquitted,
he was kidnapped by Nazis and sent to a concentration camp. When Hitler saw that the global uprise against Martin's imprisonment, he realized that Martin could prove to be a valuable prisoner and did not kill him. In May of 1945, Martin was liberated by the U.S. army. After his release, Martin traveled the world and talked about the German guilt, which many Germans did not wish to discuss. Sara arranged to meet Martin when he was visiting Brooklyn, N.Y., where she was living. "That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship," Niemoeller said.
Niemoeller and Martin married in 1971 and moved to Germany, where they had family, but Martin died in 1984 at the age of 92. Niemoeller currently lives in Pennsylvania and gives speeches providing first-hand accounts of
her and her husband's lives.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent The Xavier University Newswire News Articles
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE XAVIER UNIVERSITY NEWSWIRE
- Unknown Mortal Orchestra's II
- Bullet to the Head misses its target
- Casual Vacany leaves the reader feeling unfulfilled
- Songs in the Key of... "LOVE" : Players' new show to be annual event
- Respect yourself first
- The future of Xavier
- An inside look into an English professor's academic conferences and conventions
RECENT THE XAVIER UNIVERSITY NEWSWIRE CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
- 7 Reasons Renting an RV Should Be On Every Family’s S...
- Don’t Let Diabetes Shortchange Your Golden Years
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK