Wanda Żak (née Jurczyk) was born in Brzeszcze in 1926. During the German occupation, she helped KL Auschwitz prisoners primarily by delivering them food. Many people were involved in the food collection effort.
The Jurczyks’ family house, because of its location by the railway tracks, was the first place of refuge for those escaping from transports bound for KL Auschwitz. Anyone who came to the Jurczyks could count on receiving help. In addition, Wanda’s father, Jan Jurczyk, led prisoners who had escaped from the camp up the Soła River and handed them over to the partisan units operating in the mountains.
One of the prisoners, wanting to thank Wanda for her help, painted her portrait (seen here). He used a margarine wrapper – the only material available to the artist at that time.
Wanda Żak currently lives in Brzeszcze.
Portrait: Collection of Remembrance Museum of Land of Oświęcim Residents / gift from Wanda Żak