Holocaust heroines: Definitions and dilemmas

Heroism - "great bravery, putting others first even at your own peril". Heroine - "a woman admired or idealized for her courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities". What made a woman a heroine during the Holocaust? What was considered "great bravery" under Nazi or collaborationist rule, in ghettos or camps, while hiding, or living under a false identity? What made women's heroism during the Holocaust different than that of men? Who determined (in hindsight) that someone was a heroine during the Holocaust? Was it Holocaust survivors who experienced firsthand similar situations - or those who had not? Those hearing about these actions after the war? None of these are easy questions to answer, and I will attempt to address them in my chapter.