Historical · 1885–1954
Aristides de Sousa Mendes
He signed visas until his hand gave out — thousands of them — then died penniless and disgraced.
A Portuguese consul who defied dictator Salazar to issue tens of thousands of life-saving visas in June 1940, and was stripped of his rank for it.
Curated by
Shelly Frank
President, Creative House Studios
“We tell these stories with dignity — and amplify the people and organizations carrying their work forward today.”
Primary Source
sousamendesfoundation.org
Sousa Mendes Foundation
Open original on sousamendesfoundation.org ↗
The cause, carried forward today
HIAS ↗
Resettles persecuted refugees — the literal modern equivalent of the transit visas he issued.
Further reading
More Voices for Good
Held to the Light
A quiet note when a new voice is lifted up. You’re in good company.