Additional information
by The Fed (Author)
Lady Milena was born Milena Fleischmann in 1929 in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Living with her socialist-leaning grandparents, Milena was exposed to anti-Nazi ideology. Her father organised papers that would allow Thomas Mann, a renowned writer who had been cast out of Germany, to obtain honorary Czech citizenship.
In March 1939, life changed when Milena's father Rudolf was warned of his impending arrest for being both a Jew and a supporter of Thomas Mann. In March 1939, after being baptised for 'safety', Milena and her sister Eva were sent on the last Kindertransport train to England, where they were taken in as foster children. Through music, art and education Milena has ensured that a part of the Czech Holocaust is not forgotten. She was proud to be depicted in the 2023 film 'One Life' starring Sir Anthony Hopkins. Milena has used her voice to promote knowledge of the Holocaust and its subsequent power to ensure that this dark period of history is not repeated. Lady Milena's book is part of the My Voice book collection, a stand-alone project of The Fed, the leading Jewish social care charity in Manchester, dedicated to preserving the life stories of Holocaust survivors and refugees from Nazi persecution who settled in the UK. The oral history, which is recorded and transcribed, captures their entire lives from before, during and after the war years. The books are written in the words of the survivor so that future generations can always hear their voice. The My Voice book collection is a valuable resource for Holocaust awareness and education.Back Jacket
The My Voice Project is a unique initiative by The Fed, Manchester's leading social care charity serving the Jewish community. The My Voice Project empowers Holocaust survivors and refugees from Nazi persecution who settled in the UK to share their entire life stories including experiences before, during and after the war years. This project involves a bespoke methodological approach, producing books that preserve their unique voices. The My Voice Project ensures firsthand accounts are remembered and valued for future generations, highlighting the critical role of individual perspectives in ensuring a deeper historical understanding.
Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines was born Milena Fleischmann in 1929 into a Jewish family in Prague, Czechoslovakia. In March 1939, life changed when Milena's father Rudolf was warned of his impending arrest for being both a Jew and a supporter of renowned writer Thomas Mann. Shortly after, Milena and her sister Eva were baptised for 'safety' before being sent to England, on the last of the trains arranged by Nicholas Winton, who was responsible for saving 669 mostly Jewish children from Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia. Through music, art and education Milena has ensured that her experiences as a Czech Jew during the Holocaust are not forgotten. She was proud to be depicted in the 2023 film 'One Life' starring Sir Anthony Hopkins. Milena has used her voice to promote knowledge of the Holocaust and its subsequent power to ensure that this dark period of history is not repeated. Lady Milena's book is part of the My Voice book collection.Author Biography
The Fed is Manchester's leading social care charity serving the Jewish community. In June of 2021, The Fed were awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service for the My Voice Project, the highest possible accolade for a voluntary sector group.
