Bep Voskuijl (August 15, 1919 – May 6, 1983) was a Dutch resistance fighter during World War II and a co-founder of the Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam. In July 2018, she was named one of the four Women of the Year 1945 by the Dutch government, together with Hannie Schaft, Wilhelmina den Ouden and Truus Wijsmuller-Meijer.
Voskuijl was born on August 15, 1919, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. As the daughter of a diamond polisher, she grew up in a working-class family. In 1940, when she was 21 years old, the Netherlands was invaded by Nazi Germany. Voskuijl decided to join the Dutch resistance movement, which was dedicated to fighting the German occupation.
Initially, Voskuijl was involved in distributing illegal newspapers and pamphlets. She later began working as a courier, transporting weapons and messages between resistance groups. She also helped to hide Jewish people and other refugees from the Nazis.
In 1941, Voskuijl was arrested by the Gestapo, the German secret police. She was held in prison and interrogated for several months, but she refused to cooperate with the Nazis. Eventually, she was released due to lack of evidence.
After her release, Voskuijl continued to work with the resistance movement. She was eventually promoted to the position of leader of a group of resistance fighters in Amsterdam. In 1944, she was arrested again by the Gestapo, and this time she was sentenced to death. However, she managed to escape from prison and went into hiding.
After the war, Voskuijl helped to establish the Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam. She also worked as a journalist and wrote several books about her experiences during the war. She died in 1983 at the age of 63.
Bep Voskuijl is remembered as a courageous and dedicated resistance fighter who risked her life to help others. She is an inspiration to people around the world who fight for freedom and democracy.