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The start of Zofia Szczucka life began on August 10, 1889. Zofia was born in Kosmin, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland. Her parents were Tadeusz Kossak (father) and Anna Kisielnicka-Kossak(mother).
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Zofia studied at the Warsaw School of Fine Arts from 1912-1913. After 1913 Zofia continued her studies in Geneva. Zofia went on to write short stories with her first one appearing in "Village and Manor House" ("Wies i dwor").
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In 1924 Zofia's historical novel "Beatum Scelus" ("Blessed Wine")was published. Zofia was well known for her many historical novels including "Beatum Scelus." Beatum Scelus takes place in Kidonia in 1631. Characters in the story include Madonna Gregorian of Rome and Prince Mikolaj Sapieha.
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In 1936 Zofia was awarded the Golden Laurel of the Polish Literature Academy. Zofia was awarded with the Golden Laurel due to her many successful stories, novels, and even leaflets.
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"Blessed Are the Meek" was first published in 1937. Zofia wrote this book over the topic of the Crusades and Francis of Assisi. This book was translated into many different languages, and was also book of the month in the United States.
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Zofia began co-editing "Poland Lives" in 1939. "Poland Lives" was the newspaper of the underground press. The Underground press ran during both the 19th and 20th centuries. The underground press' main goal was to inform others of banned material.
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From 1939 to 1941 Zofia worked for the underground press. While working for the underground press Zofia edited "Polska Zyje" ("Poland Lives"). Her works with the underground press led her to co-founding Front for the Rebirth of Poland.
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Founded by Zofia herself and Father Edmund Krauze Front for the Rebirth of Poland was founded in 1941. Front Odrodzenia was run by catholics and took action against fascism. During her time Front Odrodzenia Polski Zofia wrote her famous "Protest!," written to help outsiders gain knowledge of what was happening in Warsaw and other Nazi occupied regions.
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In 1941 Zofia became the editor of Prawada (The Truth). Prawada was the paper for Front for the Re-Birth of Poland. While part of this organization Zofia used the code-name "Weronika" (Veronica). Her reason for using a code-name was she was being hunted by the Gestapo. Despite the fact she was being hunted Zofia still went to great extents to help the Jews.
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On August 11, 1942 Zofia's leaflet "Protest!" was created. "Protest!" was made to show that in the world something truly terrible was happening and we as people weren't doing anything about it. In "Protest!" Zofia takes shots at big countries such as Poland and America in order to get them to take action against the Nazi's.
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Zegota was founded on September 27, 1942 by Zofia herself and Polish resistance fighter Henryk Wolinski. Zegota was codename for "Council to Aid Jews." Zegota's efforts allowed them to aid Jews and hide them in safe places.
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In 1943 after being arrested Zofia was sent to Auschwitz at the age of 54. She was then put on death row after receiving a death sentence and was sent to Pawiak Prison. Through the efforts of Polish underground units Zofia was saved and continued to fight in the resistance.
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In 1943 Zofia condemned Henryk Plater-Zyberk after he reported her to the Gestapo due to her underground work. After Henryk reported Zofia she was sent to prison, ended up in Auschwitz, and had received a death sentence. Zofia was later released due to the efforts of the Polish underground units.
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On September 25, 1943 Zofia was detained by German Patrol. She was falsely accused of being Jewish and having forged papers. She was sent to Pawiak prison for ten days and was then sent to Auschwitz. She was then sent back to Pawiak with a death sentence, and was soon freed by Polish underground units.
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After being released from Pawiak Prison Zofia took part in the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. The Warsaw Uprising was a resistance led by the Home Army. The intention of the Warsaw Uprising was to free Warsaw from German occupation.
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In 1945 after being arrested the previous year Zofia faced the decision of being arrested or leaving Poland. She decided to head for England. After being in England for 12 years she decided to return to Poland and settled in Gorki Wielkie, Silesia.
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First Published in 1946 was Zofia's "Z otchlani" ("From the Abyss"). In "From the Abyss" Zofia talked of her experiences in Auschwitz. She describes the bodies of people as "skeletons." She claims hip bones stuck out, and their spines didn't even seem like they were in their bodies.
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In June of 1966 Zofia was awarded the First Degree State Prize by the People's Authorities. The prize inluded a good chunk of money which could have helped her but she decided not to accept the prize at all. She was chosen for the prize due to her "outstanding achievements in the field of historical novels."
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On April 9, 1968 Zofia died at the age of 78. On this date Zofia ended her supportive legacy. Zofia will always be remembered because of her many great stories and the risk she took every day to help Jews.
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On September 13, 1982 Zofia was recognized as a Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem. Zofia was recognized due to her efforts in hiding Jews, giving them shelter, and supplying them with goods.
