95: Jacqueline Van Maarsen

From the Anne Frank House:

Jacqueline Sanders-van Maarsen was born in Amsterdam #onthisday 30 January 1929, the daughter of a Jewish father and a Christian mother. When the Nazis invaded the Netherlands in 1940, she had to attend the Joods Lyceum where she met Anne Frank.

On Monday 15 June 1942, Anne wrote in her diary: 'Jacqueline van Maarsen I only just got to know at the Jewish Lyceum and she is now my best friend.'

Unlike Anne Frank, Jacqueline was escaped persecution thanks to her mother, who was not Jewish, and survived the war. In her books and when she visits schools, Jacqueline talks about her friendship with Anne but also about the dangers of antisemitism and racism and where they can lead to.

 Jacqueline turned 95 today, happy birthday!