The Nine by Owen Strauss was written as a labor of love. A young relative of Helene’s had heard snippets of Helene’s story over the years as it was whispered about among family members. He was determined to tell her story but Helene was reluctant and did not see the point. Many survivors hid their memories of what they experienced during the war and Holocaust deep inside themselves. Their memories were often too painful to remember and talk about or they felt guilty to have survived when so many millions had not. I was so glad that Helene’s young relative did not give up and was able to share her story. She was a brave, courageous and intelligent young woman that recognized her role as a born leader. Telling Helene’s story allowed all to recognize what she experienced and how she was able to save herself and eight other brave women. Her story and ones like hers must never be told and never forgotten.