We are all important
A Woman of No Importance, by Sonia Purnell, is the meticulously researched story of Virginia Hall, an American spy who played an incredibly vital role in the French Resistance and the success of D-Day. A feisty tomboy from a privileged background, Virginia rebelled against the limited expectations of her era, encountering sexism at every turn. Rather than “marry well” and give cocktail parties, she joined the State Department after college graduation (in the 1930’s). Despite excellent qualifications, she was relegated to secretarial work. While posted in Spain, she accidentally shot herself in the foot, which became infected, resulting in the amputation of her right leg. She went home to Maryland…but not for long. Appalled by the rise of fascism in Europe—which she’d witnessed firsthand—she reapplied for a posting in Europe. Again, she was relegated to secretarial work, but finally wangled an espionage position in France, posing as a journalist. Her status as a “woman of no importance”, an attractive blond woman with a wooden leg to boot, gave her an innocent appearance that belied her incredible cleverness and courage. What follows is a study of outrageous heroism. Her journey across the 10,000 foot peaks of the Pyrenees, in the midst of winter, WITH A WOODEN LEG, stuck out to me as the most incredible tale of them all. Determined and stoic, she just kept going.
The history of World War II—widely regarded as a black and white narrative of good vs evil—keeps developing shades of grey as little known aspects come to light. When Virginia began her espionage activities in 1940 the United States was reticent to become involved in the conflict, turning a blind eye to the suffering of the Jews. Even England tried to keep its distance. When Germany invaded France, the French just rolled over and allowed themselves to be occupied, not only the Vichy government, but the majority of its people. So Virginia and her compatriots operated alone, at great risk. By 1944, the tide had turned against the Nazis, the US was finally seriously involved, and lots of French citizens came out of the woodwork to support the Allied effort. I wonder: Did they oppose the Nazis from the beginning? Did they think they would be safer accomodating them? Did they just want to be on the winning side?
Prior to writing my novel It’s Always 9/11, I did a lot of research on the rise of totalitarianism in the 1930’s. There are disturbing parallels to today. Totalitarianism starts slowly and insidiously, usually led by a dictatorial figure. But that dictatorial figure accomplishes little without the complicity of the population. A few brave people, like Virginia, will always stick their neck out, at great risk. But if more people speak out, the risk lessens. The capacity to change the situation rises. We are all important. To pretend we are not is an act of self-deception. We may not all climb snowy mountains with wooden legs, but we can all take collective risk in our own ways, and stand up for what is right.