# data[].attributes.body
Mala Zimetbaum was a Belgian Jewish woman of Polish descent who became a symbol of resistance and compassion during the Holocaust. Born in Poland in 1918 and raised in Antwerp, Belgium, she was highly intelligent and multilingual, which later helped her survive in Auschwitz. Deported to the concentration camp in 1942, Mala used her position as an interpreter and messenger to secretly assist fellow prisoners warning them of selections, securing lighter duties for the sick, and sharing news from outside the camp. Her courage culminated in a daring escape attempt with her fellow prisoner and romantic partner, Edward Galiński, in 1944. Though they were eventually captured and returned to Auschwitz, Mala faced her execution with defiance, remembered today as a brave and selfless figure who risked everything to help others and expose Nazi atrocities.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The first woman who escaped Auschwitz, caught & burned alive in its crematoria - Mala Zimetbaum

# data[].attributes.body
A poignant image of Mala Zimetbaum, taken before her deportation to Auschwitz, captures her youthful resilience and dignity. In this photograph, Mala is dressed in a dark dress she reportedly sewed herself, her hair neatly styled, and her expression composed yet introspective. The portrait was taken in a photo studio around 1939, reflecting a moment of normalcy before the horrors she would later endure. This image serves as a powerful reminder of her humanity and the life she led before becoming a symbol of resistance in the Holocaust.​

# data[].attributes.body
sentenced to death by public hanging. In a final act of resistance whilst standing on the hanging blocks, Zimetbaum took a razor blade from her hair, slit her own wrists and slapped the SS guard that attempted to prevent her from doing so.

# data[].attributes.body
Mala Zimetbaum is memorialized as a symbol of courage, compassion, and resistance during the Holocaust. Her story is honored at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, where exhibits recount her escape attempt and acts of bravery. She is also featured in Holocaust education materials, books, and documentaries that highlight resistance within concentration camps. In Belgium, her legacy is remembered in Jewish communities, and her name appears on memorial lists of Holocaust victims. Additionally, her story is preserved in testimonies from survivors and organizations like Yad Vashem and the Jewish Women’s Archive, ensuring that her heroism continues to inspire future generations.