“Together, we wish to pay tribute to her together, recalling the values she remained faithful to throughout her life – courage, solidarity, and humanity”, the invitation reads. “It is an opportunity to remember the words inscribed on the medal awarded to the Righteous Among the Nations: ‘Whoever saves one life, saves the entire world’.”
Remembrance of Irena Sendler by the Ochota District in Warsaw
The 60th anniversary of Irena Sendler being awarded the title of “Righteous Among the Nations” is approaching. She received this prestigious distinction in 1965 for her heroic deeds during World War II – working in the underground, together with a group of female associates, she carried out activities to rescue Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto.
To mark this anniversary, Warsaw’s Ochota District invites you to attend the ceremonial unveiling of a plaque commemorating Irena Sendler, which will take place in front of the Ochota District Office, in Warsaw (ul. Grójecka 17a).
The ceremony will be held on 17 October 2025 and will be attended by, among others, Irena Sendler’s daughter and granddaughter, representatives of the district authorities, and residents of Ochota.
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“Irena Sendler was, for many years, connected with our district. It was here that she carried out her social work and rescued children from the Warsaw Ghetto. We wish to honour her memory, as she truly deserves it. It is incredible as to how much good one person was able to do – and how much we can all learn from her,” said Piotr Krasnodębski, Mayor of Warsaw's Ochota District.
Irena Sendler’s ties with the Ochota District
For many years, Irena Sendler was closely connected with Warsaw’s Ochota District. Between 1932 and 1935, she worked here, at Pawińskiego 2A Street (formerly Opaczewska 1 Street), as a social worker, assisting single mothers raising children, in the Department of Social Welfare and Public Health of the City of Warsaw.
During the German occupation, many children were rescued from the Warsaw Ghetto with the help of Sendler and her female associates, they found shelter in Ochota. During the Warsaw Uprising, Sendler served as a nurse in one of the insurgent hospitals at Fałata 4 Street.
In February 2010, on the 100th anniversary of her birth, a commemorative plaque, dedicated to Irena Sendler, was unveiled on the wall of this building. The plaque was funded by local residents and the district authorities.
This year, the local authorities have decided to honour Irena Sendler in front of the District Office.
An invitation to the Ceremony Commemorating Irena Sendler
The ceremony will take place on 17th October 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in front of the Ochota District Office, in Warsaw, (Grójecka 17A Street), with the participation of Irena Sendler’s daughter and granddaughter.
The event is open to the public – residents of Warsaw, especially those from the Ochota District, are warmly invited to attend.
You can read the most important historical information about Irena Sendler and her associates on the Polish Righteous website. Learn more about the assistance they provided to children from the Warsaw Ghetto. See the “Righteous Among the Nations” medal and other memorabilia, related to Sendler, in the POLIN Museum collection.
Read and learn more about Irena Sendler:
- 60th anniversary of Irena Sendler being awarded the title of “Righteous Among the Nations” →
- The story of Irena Sendler and her associates →
- An interview with Irena Sendler’s daughter, Janina Zgrzembska →
- An interview with Elżbieta Ficowska, a friend of Irena Sendler →
- A discussion, with experts, on Irena Sendler’s activities →
- POLIN Museum educational film about Irena Sendler and Jadwiga Piotrowska →
- POLIN Museum virtual exhibition about Irena Sendler (on Google Arts & Culture) →
