State Historical Society of Iowa

Columnist Dorothy Thompson Urges Congress to Help European Victims of the Nazis, April 22, 1939

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, Harris & Ewing, "Woman columnist tells committee that something must be done..." 22 April 1939

Description

American journalist and radio broadcaster Dorothy Thompson, right, is shown talking to U.S. Rep. Edith Nourse Rogers, left, after she testified before the Joint Congressional Committee on Immigration. Thompson, an influential female voice at the time, told the committee that "something must be done" to allow the removal of Austrian and German victims of "Nazi wrath" to America. Thompson said she supported a pending congressional bill which would allow selected refugee children to live and grow up in American families.

Source Dependent Questions

  • The two women in the photo are Dorothy Thompson, right, and U.S. Rep. Edith Nourse Rogers, left. Dorothy Thompson testified before the Joint Congressional Committee on Immigration about how she supported a pending congressional bill that would allow selected refugee children to live and grow up in American families. How does this demonstrate the desire of at least some Americans to help victims of the Holocaust?
  • The bill referred to above was never voted out of the Committee on Immigration. What factors do you think played a role in why the majority of representatives on the committee did not vote to move the bill forward in April 1939?
  • Compare this photo to the Letter to British Labour Leader Clement Attlee. Describe the different points of view between the author and Dorothy Thompson. Why might these two people have differences in opinion?

Citation Information

Harris & Ewing, "Woman columnist tells committee that something must be done for refugee children. Washington, D.C., April 22. Dorothy Thompson, newspaper columnist, witness before the Joint Congressional Committee on Immigration, told the Committee today that 'something must be done' to allow the removal of Austrian and German victims of Nazi wrath to America. She supported a pending bill which would allow selected refugee children to live and grow up in American families. She is shown here talking to Rep. Edith Nourse Rogers, Committee member. Left to right: Mrs. Rogers, Miss Thompson," 22 April 1939. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress

State Historical Society of Iowa

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