Diet Eman
Diet Eman
Full Name and Common Aliases
Diet Eman was born as Johanna Hobbema on October 6, 1920, in the Netherlands.
Birth and Death Dates
October 6, 1920 - September 4, 2017
Nationality and Profession(s)
Netherlands, Christian Resistance Fighter, Teacher
Early Life and Background
Diet Eman was born into a devout Christian family in the Netherlands. Her early life was marked by a strong sense of faith and social responsibility. As the daughter of a pastor, she grew up with a deep understanding of the importance of standing up for one's convictions.
Growing up during World War II had a profound impact on Diet Eman. Witnessing firsthand the horrors of Nazi occupation, she became deeply troubled by the inaction of many Christians who failed to speak out against the atrocities committed by the regime. This experience instilled in her a strong sense of moral obligation and a desire to take action.
Major Accomplishments
Diet Eman was an active participant in the Dutch Resistance movement during World War II. She traveled extensively throughout Europe, carrying false identification papers and posing as a devout Catholic, all while secretly spreading anti-Nazi propaganda and assisting those persecuted by the regime.
Her efforts did not go unnoticed; she was eventually captured by the Nazis in 1944 and sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she suffered brutal treatment and survived for nearly two years under extreme conditions. It is estimated that over 30,000 women died at Ravensbrück during Diet Eman's imprisonment.
Notable Works or Actions
Diet Eman wrote extensively about her experiences in the resistance movement and her time in Ravensbrück. Her memoirs have been translated into numerous languages and serve as a testament to her unwavering commitment to faith, morality, and social justice.
After the war, Diet Eman dedicated herself to teaching and mentoring young people, using her stories of courage and resilience to inspire future generations.
Impact and Legacy
Diet Eman's legacy extends far beyond her own remarkable story. Her bravery in the face of overwhelming oppression has inspired countless individuals around the world to stand up for what they believe in, even when it seems impossible or futile.
As a testament to her enduring impact, Diet Eman was recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout her life, including the Yad Vashem medal from Israel's Holocaust Museum, which acknowledges non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during World War II.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Diet Eman is widely remembered and quoted for her unwavering commitment to faith and social justice. Her remarkable story of survival and resistance in the face of unimaginable evil serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact one person can have on history.
Her life's work has inspired countless individuals around the world, from those struggling with their own moral convictions to those fighting for human rights and social change. Through her memoirs, public speaking engagements, and ongoing advocacy, Diet Eman continues to leave an indelible mark on our collective understanding of courage, resilience, and the power of individual action.
Diet Eman's impact will undoubtedly continue to be felt for generations to come as a beacon of hope and inspiration in the face of adversity.
Quotes by Diet Eman
Diet Eman's insights on:
That was one other time when my whole body reacted to the fear and went out of my own control. My nerves came apart completely, and I started vomiting and vomiting. I couldn’t stop. It had been such a narrow escape. I kept telling myself that I could take all of the pressure; but there were those times that my body seemed almost to shut itself down, to scream that what was happening was just too much.
The worst is, I remain so stone cold. Does this war make you an ‘alive-dead person’? Is it not possible to remain yourself in this chaos? How long still?
It stank pretty bad, of course: manure was caked all over the wagon. But we were free. Right then I was elated with a sense of how faithful God is to his promises; I was free, and I was smiling joyfully on a manure wagon. As we ambled along, I laughed to myself when I thought of God's sense of humor in delivering us that way. Even today, the smell of manure reminds me of freedom.
Father and Mother had told their own little lies very well, and I realized immediately that the Gerrisens didn't know a thing. And yet, my realization that they didn't know what I'd been through was like a cold shower for just a moment. Here I was looking at the first really familiar faces I'd seen in over a year, and they acted as though I'd merely been on vacation.
This pouring thoughts out on paper has relieved me. I feel better and full of confidence and resolution.
And here we see again that we do not decide our own lives. Dieneke, even if we won't see each other again on earth, we will never be sorry for what we did, that we took this stand.
I lay there for three whole days, totally paralyzed. My friends helped me to the bathroom and anywhere else I needed to move; but I have very vague impressions of those days because it was a time of complete darkness for me. Somebody told me later that what I had was a form of hysteria: my body and my mid fled into paralysis. There was nothing wrong with me organically, but somewhere inside I suffered a complete breakdown.
That was one other time when my whole body reacted to the fear and went out of my own control. My nerves came apart completely, and I started vomiting and vomiting. I couldn't stop. It had been such a narrow escape. I kept telling myself that I could take all of the pressure; but there were those times that my body seemed almost to shut itself down, to scream that what was happening was just too much.
The sound of natural things was wonderful to us. In the middle of all the suffering, it seemed pure, untouched.
Being exhausted, yet keeping up the pursuit.' (Judges 8:4) Even after what I had said of wanting out, even after that humiliation, the physical exhaustion, the deep despair I felt, those words were my new marching orders. The next morning, I swung my rucksack over my shoulders and was off again.