Courageous Sister, Inspiration to Women

Courageous Sister, Inspiration to Women

March is WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH when tribute is paid to the generations of women whose “commitment to nature and the planet have proved invaluable to society.” Today on March 13th I pay tribute to Charles’ sister Vlasta Jakubová (my sister-in-law) on her 88th birthday. Vlasta was born in Ozdany, Slovakia in 1925. Like her brother, in her youth she bravely served in the Czech Resistance during World War II and the Cold War against the Nazis and the Communists, risking her life for freedom. Vlasta was arrested for “treasonous” activity on August 6, 1949 and was given an eighteen year prison sentence. She stayed at Cejl, Znojmo, Ruznĕ, and Pardubice prisons and work camps at Minkovice and Chrastava. After a serious injury she was released early on probation in 1959. Vlasta’s ability to face Nazi and Communist persecution with strength, courage, and dignity is an inspiration to this day. You can read more about Vlasta in BORDER CROSSINGS: Coming of Age n the Czech Resistance. She is pictured here after receiving an award in 2012 for service to her country.

Who do you know that you would like to pay tribute to during WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH and why?

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