Ceremony of awarding the Righteous Among the Nations medal

During World War II she rescued, among others, her friend Rut Schaff, to whom Mrs. Stefania gave her own pre-marital ID and whom she helped in obtaining a christening certificate. This allowed Rut to stay outside the ghetto under the name “Stefania Seniow “.

Mrs. Stefania sheltered another of her schoolmates, Halina Weitmann (Morawska). She was also risking her own life by supplying typhoid vaccines to the Lviv ghetto. She has shown exceptional courage, and in all of her actions was motivated by her belief that "it is right, it is needed."

After the war Mrs. Stefania Cichocka moved to Warsaw, and the rescued Stefania (Rut) has been living in Austria since the 1960s. Contacts between the two women faded during that time, but have been recently renewed.
The two met during the ceremony and could not hide their emotion. There were plenty heartfelt words, gratitude, and flowers.

Members of the Righteous' family were also present, among them her children and grandchildren, as well as relatives of the rescued, including the son of the late Halina Morawska, Tomasz, who has only recently learned of his Jewish heritage.

The ceremony was opened by notable speakers: the Chairwoman of the Warsaw City Council, Mrs. Ewa Malinowska said: “I bow my head to Mrs. Stefania Cichocka and to all of Warsaw’s unsung heroes.”

His Excellency Zwi Rav-Ner, the Ambassador of Israel in Poland, said: “The most important people here are Mrs. Stefania and Mrs. Stefania – it is as if they were one person, one was rescuing, the other was rescued… Mrs. Stefania saved not only Mrs. Stefania, but also her loved ones: her family, an entire new generation.”

The Rescued submitted a brief statement regarding the Righteous and the help she received from the latter.

The decorated Mrs. Stefania shown great humility in stating her actions were far from exceptional, and in her view did not deserve any such decorations. She said she did not expect to live to see such a moment.

Following the formal portion of the ceremony the guests were invitied to participate in a small repast.