While rescuing 150 Jews during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam, Pritchard said she, "had stolen, cheated and even killed. And I still consider myself the product of a good upbringing."
In reward for her heroic actions during the Holocaust, Pritchard was awarded the Wallenberg Medal and gave the seventh annual Wallenberg Lecture last night at Rackham Auditorium. The award was created in 1985 to honor the actions of Raoul Wallenberg, a 1935 University alum who saved Jews as a Swedish diplomat in Hungary.
In her talk titled, "The Active Role of Jews in Rescue and Resistance During the Holocaust," Pritchard told an audience of 300 about her own personal experiences as a rescuer during the Holocaust, and how Jews themselves were active participants in rescue activities.
"People ask, 'Why didn't the Jews resist, why didn't they stick up for themselves?' and the fact is that they did. There is a misconception that the Jews went willingly to their deaths," Pritchard said.
Pritchard told stories, humorous as well as courageous, of her own attempts to rescue Jews. One such story included a time she lost her temper while procuring food for those in her care.
"I told them what I thought of Hitler, even though everyone was telling me to be quiet," she said.
When two Nazi soldiers came to pick her up in a truck, she said, "I thought I was dead for sure. They put me in the passenger seat, took the food and my bicycle, dropped me across the bridge and wished me well."
Pritchard, an associate professor at the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis, also related some characteristics of rescuers. While Pritchard said rescuers tended to be independent thinkers, and those who were true to themselves, she said, "the motivation of the rescuers was as varied as the participants."
Andrew Echt, a first-year student in the School of Social Work, said Pritchard was, "truly remarkable. It's amazing that an ordinary person can do extraordinary things."
Amy Ravit, an LSA first-year student, said she thought Pritchard's talk was powerful and moving.
"It's just amazing the way she risked her life to save Jews. I'm so impressed people like that exist," Ravit said.
Ravit thought the most powerful parts of Pritchard's speech were the personal experiences she related.
"It's what people want to hear. They want to hear about friends ... they want to be able to pull pieces out of their lives and relate it to what she has to say," Ravit said.
Pritchard will be participating in a coffee talk on the fourth floor of East Hall at 10 a.m. today. The event is open to the public.
JOE WESTRATE/Daily
Marion Pritchard speaks after receiving the Wallenberg Medal last night for her service during World War II. Interim University President Homer Neal looks on.