BIO

Angelina Khoja, going by Arden, is a first year student at Florida State, majoring in Nursing. Outside of research and UROP, she is interested in writing poetry, reading, as well as learning and helping others, which is why she is so passionate about this project. She loves to learn new information, especially from people and first count experiences, using her voice to speak for those who can’t anymore.

Remembering the Rosenstrasse Protest

Abstract

When learning about World War II, the associations that arise are the horrific events of the Holocaust, along with countless stories of the cruelty of the German government and soldiers. Though many have heard of the violent actions that occurred during this period, not many know of the moments of courage and light spurned by love and rebellion against oppression. This research project focuses on advocating for the mission of the Rosenstrasse Foundation. The Foundation strives to bring awareness through education, emphasizing acts of civil courage, such as those of the women who participated in the Rosenstrasse protest of 1943. One method of research, genealogy, involves the investigation of possible identities of protestors by locating past documents on platforms such as ancestry.com. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and family trees are utilized to confirm the presence of the individuals at the protest. Through genealogical research, biographies are created and displayed on a public website. Here, descendants of protestors can learn more about their family members involved, and the website acts as a hub for information that advocates for the community's education. Another primary focus of the research was updating Wikipedia.com, where articles were edited to ensure the accuracy of the information available on the Rosenstrasse Protest. The research for this project gives a voice to those otherwise silenced by the weight of the violence and suffering of WWII, providing an example of the strength the public has when they unite toward a common goal.

Keywords: Rosenstrasse Protest, Civil Courage