Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Human Rights, Forgiveness Advocate Eva Kor Receives State's Highest Humanitarian Award

Eva Kor, seen here in a court room in Lueneburg, northern Germany during the trial of a former Auschwitz guard in 2015, has received the Indiana’s highest humanitarian award.
Julian Stratenschulte/Pool Photo via AP
Eva Kor, seen here in a court room in Lueneburg, northern Germany during the trial of a former Auschwitz guard in 2015, has received the Indiana’s highest humanitarian award.

Gov. Eric Holcomb has selected Holocaust survivor Eva Kor of Terre Haute to receive the state’s highest humanitarian honor -- the Sachem Award.

“Her story and her life has impacted our entire nation, wrapped around this entire globe. We’re blessed to have her light here in our state, in Terre Haute Indiana,” Holcomb says.

Kor and her twin sister were sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1944,  where they were used as subjects of diabolical medical experiments by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele.  In 1945, they and 200 other twins were liberated from the death camp.

Today she is a champion of human rights and a forgiveness advocate who has traveled the globe to share her message.

“I would like to partner with you Gov. Holcomb to teach the world my mission, to forgive and heal,” Kor says.

From NPR: 'It's For You To Know That You Forgive,' Says Holocaust Survivor

Eighty-three-year-old Kor also founded the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Terre Haute, which tells the stories of other Holocaust survivors who were used in deadly lab experiments.

“I hope that we are, you Governor and Hoosier families,  are sending the world a message of hope, a message of healing and a message of peace through forgiveness,” Kor says.

Kor's life story is the subject of an upcoming documentary produced by Ted Green Films and WFYI Productions.

Jill Ditmire was no stranger to the broadcast world. Her face and voice were a daily part of the lives of viewers and listeners in the Midwest for 25 years. She was the local news anchor during "All Things Considered" and a contributor to "Morning Edition," "Sound Medicine," "Art of the Matter “Curious Mix” and "Wednesday Live at 5:44." Jill's broadcast experience included anchoring and reporting news at television stations in Indianapolis, Detroit and Lafayette, including WTTV, WRTV, WLFI, WJBK, WTHR, WISH and the Ford Motor Company News Network. She produced her own television series on Indiana Public Television for eight years called “The Good Life” which showcased independent chefs, restaurants and local wineries.
Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.