Anna Essinger

Anna Essinger, born to a devout Jewish family in Ulm, Germany, was more than just an educator; she was a beacon of hope in humanity's darkest hour. With the rise of Nazism, many merely hoped for the best; Essinger, however, packed her bags, gathered her students, and literally moved her entire school, children and all, out of Germany and into safety in England.

Her first act of defiance came in 1933, relocating her Landschulheim Herrlingen school to Kent, England, where it became Bunce Court School. This wasn't just a change of scenery; it was a daring rescue mission, saving over 60 Jewish children initially, with hundreds more following over the years. She specialized in taking in children traumatized by the horrors they had witnessed or endured.

Essinger's dedication extended beyond simply providing a refuge. She created a nurturing environment where children, often refugees with profound emotional scars, could heal, learn, and reclaim their childhoods. Her insistence on maintaining high academic standards and a strong sense of community ensured these children not only survived but thrived, becoming contributing members of society. In an age when many looked away, Anna Essinger looked evil in the eye and said, "Not on my watch."