The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is excited to announce it will be hosting Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan in honor of International Human Rights Day on Monday, December 10th. Lazan will be speaking in the Alma McDonough Auditorium beginning at 6:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Author of the world-renowned memoir, “Four Perfect Pebbles,” Lazan will recount the horrific days spent as a child under Hitler’s rule. Trapped in Nazi Germany, the Blumenthal family spent 6 ½ years as refugees, in transit, and as prisoners in camps such as Westerbork in Holland, and the infamous Bergen-Belsen.
Although her story is one of hardship and horror, Lazan shares an inspiring message of courage, hope, and the will to survive.
“Our goal at the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is to educate the campus and community on issues impacting historically underserved populations,” said Dr. Nkenge Friday, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Diversity and Inclusion. “Bringing Mrs. Marion Blumenthal Lazan on Human Rights Day, the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted in 1948 as the Universal Day of Human Rights, is paramount to this goal. Given the recent rise of bias and hate incidents in our country that involve multiple communities, Mrs. Lazan’s visit brings to light the importance of continued engagement, education and vigilance.”
Inspired by The Diary of Anne Frank, Lazan began speaking publicly about her Holocaust experience in 1979; she describes her tale as “the story Anne Frank may have told,” due to their close proximity in various camps during the terrifying years of Hitler’s reign. In addition to the success of her memoir, Lazan has been named a “Woman of Distinction” by the New York State Senate and awarded the Keys to the Cities of Galesburg, Illinois; Owensboro, Kentucky; and Idaho Falls, Idaho. She has traveled around the world to share her story in more than 40 states and five different countries.
For more information and other inquiries, contact diversity@marietta.edu.