Holocaust survivor to visit Grand Valley

A woman who survived the Holocaust and escaped imprisonment will give a presentation at Grand Valley State University on March 15, as part of Women's History Month. 

In 1944, Magda Brown, from Hungary, was sent to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland, where she was separated from her family. She spent time at a work camp before escaping with several other prisoners during a march to Buchenwald. They were discovered and liberated by American soldiers. Brown, now 89 years old, moved to the U.S. in 1946. She is a great aunt of Samantha Murray, a Grand Valley student who is president of the university's Hillel chapter. 

Brown's presentation will take place from 7-9 p.m. in room 2250 of the Kirkhof Center on the Allendale Campus. 

Hillel member Robin Hutchings said Brown's presentation will be recorded and donated to Grand Valley's archives for future campus community members to watch. 

"Magda loves presenting to university students because she feels we have a great ability to make change in our societies," said Hutchings.

Brown was united with her brother, Miklos Brown, in 1962. For 40 years, Brown worked in a physician's office as a certified medical assistant. She is an active member and past president of the American Association of Medical Assistants, Illinois Society. She is also a member of the Speaker's Bureau of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. 

The event is organized by Grand Valley's Women's Center and Hillel chapter. Hillel International is a Jewish campus organization. 

For more information, contact Hutchings at [email protected].