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The Women Who Fought WWII with Dr. Finn Ballard
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During our time together, we will learn about the Jewish parachutist Haviva Reik from Slovakia, who joined the British SOE (Special Operations Executive) to infiltrate Nazi-occupied territory and establish networks of resistance. Our conversation will reveal the stories of some of the most heroic figures of the anti-fascist resistance in Germany, including the Munich University student Sophie Scholl and the adoptive Berliner Mildred Harnack from Wisconsin.
We'll also virtually meet the Parisian museum curator Rose Valland, chief advisor to the "Monuments Men," who saved many of Europe’s art treasures from theft and destruction by the Nazis. And we will learn about female leaders in the guerrilla and partisan resistance groups throughout Europe - including Ariadna Scriabina, founder of the French Zionist group known as the Jewish Army; and Zivia Lubetkin, a member of the High Command of the Jewish Combat Organization which staged the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. And we will discuss how the American journalist Dorothy Thompson’s courage and ingenuity thwarted the Nazis’ plans for what would have been the most infamous show trial of the Third Reich.
Led by an expert on modern German history, Dr. Finn Ballard, this Conversation will tell the tale of the women who resisted Hitler. Designed to inform curiosity and future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of a lesser-known chapter of Nazi history.
To learn more about German History with Context, please click here.
Finn grew up in Northern Ireland before moving to England to study and later teach in the department of Film and Literature at the University of Warwick. He completed his doctoral study on German folklore and popular cinema in 2012, and has published extensively in the fields of Film Studies and Gender Studies. Since 2008, he has been living and guiding in Berlin. He now works as a historical advisor for television and film productions set in Berlin, particularly during the Weimar era or Third Reich. He is a journalist for the 'Siegessauele', Europe's foremost Queer magazine, and organises events at Berlin's English-language bookstore 'Another Country'.
This conversation is suitable for all ages.
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
So brave. It is high time we all knew about these women who made such a difference during WWII
I have taken several lectures with Finn and they never disappoint. He covers a lot in the 90 minutes, but also leaves you with resources so you can take a deeper dive if you want.
In many ways this was the most tragic talk because these women were trying to save the world from the **** and they were mostly all killed for their efforts I think I could never be so brave! Dr. Ballard made the subject intensely interesting!
Extremely well researched presentation on women's roles as spies, soldiers and resistance fighters in World War II. Dr. Finn Ballard is a very articulate and personable speaker who makes the subject come alive with interesting information and excellent visual materials.
I found Finn's presentation to be excellent. His knowledge is vast and he was able to get through a lot of information in the hour. Will definitely attend another of his seminars!