80: Settimia Spizzichino

80 Years ago today (October 15, 1943) the Germans raided the Rome Ghetto in Italy.

Settimia Spizzichino was the only Woman to survive both the Rome Ghetto Round-Up and the Auschwitz Death Camp.

The 5^th of 6 children, Settimia Spizzichino was born into a family in the Jewish Ghetto of Rome on April 15, 1921.

 Her father, Mosè Mario Spizzichino, was a Book Dealer. Her Mother, Grazia Di Segni, was a Teacher at the Jewish School.

On October 16, 1943 she was Rounded-Up and Deported to Auschwitz, along with her Mother, 2 Sisters and Neice.

They arrived at Auschwitz 6 days later where the Germans held their infamous Selection.

Settimia’s Mother, Sister (Ada) and her Child were immediately gassed to death.

Settimia and her Sister, Judith, were selected to work moving stones.

When the Soviets were close to liberating Auschwitz in January 1945 Settimia became one of the 58,000 Inmates forced on a Death March by the Germans. She was sent to Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp in Germany where she was liberated by the British on April 15, 1945 – her 24^th Birthday.

Out of the 689 Women deported to Auschwitz with her, 47 Women were chosen to work and of those 47 Women Settimia was the only Woman to survive the War.

She returned to Rome where she often spoke to Educational Groups about her experiences.

Settimia Spizzichino died on July 3, 2000 at the age of 79.