Anna Stanisława Kolbusz was born on May 6, 1920, in the quiet village of Nawieś Kołaczycki, Poland. Her early life unfolded in the simplicity of rural Polish life, shaped by the values of family, faith, and community. She grew up in a country scarred by war but full of resilience, a place where courage often bloomed in silence.
As Anna came of age, the world around her began to change drastically. In 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, marking the start of World War II and a brutal occupation that brought terror, oppression, and suffering to millions. For Anna and many other Poles, submission was not an option. Resistance became a matter of principle, a fight for dignity and the survival of a nation.
Anna chose bravery over safety. During the German occupation, she joined the Polish resistance, an underground movement that risked everything to fight back against the cruelty of Nazi rule. Her decision was not without cost—every act of defiance carried the threat of imprisonment, torture, or death.
On October 2, 1943, Anna’s courage was met with consequence. She was arrested by the Nazis and deported to Auschwitz, one of the most notorious concentration camps of the Holocaust. There, she was registered as prisoner number 63716, stripped of her identity, and subjected to the horrors of camp life.
The conditions at Auschwitz were inhuman. Prisoners were starved, beaten, and forced into hard labor. Disease, cruelty, and constant fear defined each day. For Anna, whose strength had already been proven in the resistance, this was a final, grueling test of spirit and survival.
Just seven weeks after her arrival, on November 21, 1943, Anna Stanisława Kolbusz died in Auschwitz. She was only 23 years old. Her life was taken far too soon, a fate shared by millions, but her spirit and sacrifice endure as part of a collective memory that demands to be kept alive.
Anna’s story is one of defiance, dignity, and deep patriotism. She stood against tyranny with unwavering courage, choosing action in the face of overwhelming danger. Her bravery was a beacon in one of history’s darkest chapters.
Today, we remember Anna not just as a victim, but as a hero. Her name is honored, her sacrifice cherished, and her courage never forgotten. In remembering her, we reaffirm our commitment to stand against oppression in all its forms.
