Tina Strobos, Dutch physician and psychiatrist (b. 1920)

A remarkable figure of courage and compassion, Tina Strobos, born Tineke Buchter on May 19, 1920, and passing away on February 27, 2012, was a Dutch physician and psychiatrist hailing from Amsterdam. Her name is indelibly linked with her extraordinary resistance work during the dark days of World War II, a period when her unwavering bravery saved countless lives from Nazi persecution.

Early Life and Heroic Resistance Work

Even as a young medical student, Strobos embarked on a perilous mission, collaborating with her mother and grandmother to shelter over 100 Jewish refugees. This selfless act was a vital part of the Dutch resistance movement against the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Her own home became a crucial sanctuary, ingeniously equipped with a secret attic compartment and a clever warning bell system designed to safeguard those in hiding from the sudden, terrifying raids by the police and the Gestapo. But her efforts didn't stop there; Strobos actively participated in the resistance's broader operations, smuggling essential guns and radios, and even forging passports, offering a lifeline for refugees desperately seeking to escape the country. Despite the immense danger and the constant threat of discovery, she endured nine separate arrests and interrogations by the Gestapo. Yet, through it all, her resolve never faltered; she famously never once betrayed the location of any of the Jewish individuals she protected, embodying true moral fortitude.

Post-War Life and Distinguished Medical Career

Once the war concluded and peace returned, Strobos dedicated herself to completing her medical degree, ultimately specializing as a psychiatrist. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to England, where she had the privilege of studying under the renowned psychoanalyst Anna Freud, gaining invaluable insights into the human mind. Later, Strobos brought her talents to the United States, furthering her psychiatric studies on a prestigious Fulbright scholarship, eventually settling down in New York. There, she built a distinguished career as a family psychiatrist, leaving a lasting impact on her patients and the field. She married twice during her lifetime and was a loving mother to three children. Her profound contributions to medicine were formally acknowledged in 1998 when she was awarded the esteemed Elizabeth Blackwell Medal. Strobos continued her active practice until her well-deserved retirement in 2009, a career spanning decades of dedication and care.

Legacy and Enduring Recognition

The extraordinary humanitarian efforts of Tina Strobos did not go unnoticed, even decades later. In 1989, she received one of the highest honors for her wartime rescue work, being recognized as 'Righteous Among the Nations' by Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. This distinction is bestowed upon non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. Her remarkable legacy was further celebrated in 2009 by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center of New York City, which acknowledged her unwavering courage and compassion in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tina Strobos

Who was Tina Strobos?
Tina Strobos was a Dutch physician and psychiatrist renowned for her courageous resistance work during World War II, where she helped rescue over 100 Jewish refugees.
What was Tina Strobos's primary role in the Dutch Resistance during World War II?
Her primary role was providing her home as a hiding place for Jewish refugees, using a secret attic compartment and a warning bell system. She also smuggled goods and forged passports for the resistance.
How many Jewish individuals did Tina Strobos help save?
Working alongside her mother and grandmother, Tina Strobos helped rescue more than 100 Jewish refugees from Nazi persecution.
What significant awards and recognitions did Tina Strobos receive?
She was honored as 'Righteous Among the Nations' by Yad Vashem in 1989 and received the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal in 1998 for her medical work. She was also recognized by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center of New York City in 2009.
When did Tina Strobos live?
Tina Strobos was born on May 19, 1920, and passed away on February 27, 2012.