Odile de Vasselot, who participated in the French Resistance during World War II, passed away on April 21 in Paris at the age of 103. Her death was confirmed by the Order of the Liberation, which awarded her a medal established by General Charles de Gaulle to honor heroes of the Resistance.
Ms. de Vasselot was among many young French individuals who took action against German occupation following France's defeat in 1940. She began her involvement by marking the Lorraine Cross on walls and removing German propaganda posters. As the war progressed, she undertook increasingly perilous missions.
In a retrospective interview, Ms. de Vasselot expressed her belief that one must take action in times of crisis, recalling her outrage at the sight of Nazi flags in Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron honored her legacy, describing her as a courageous figure who responded to calls for action throughout her life.
Born into a military family, Ms. de Vasselot had a unique background within the Resistance, as she was an aristocrat who had to conceal her activities from her mother. Her family had connections to General de Gaulle, and she was inspired to join the fight after hearing his call to arms on the radio in 1940.
She participated in the first public act of resistance in Paris in 1940 and later joined the Zero network in 1943, delivering mail and newspapers for the Resistance. Despite the risks, she successfully navigated her missions, often using her gender to evade suspicion from German soldiers.
After the war, Ms. de Vasselot pursued a career in education, founding a girls' school in Ivory Coast in 1962, which became a significant institution for female education in the country. She remained its director until 1988, when she returned to France.
Ms. de Vasselot's funeral was held at the Cathedral of Saint-Louis-des-Invalides in Paris, a tribute reserved for war heroes. She is remembered for her resilience and dedication, encouraging future generations to persevere in the face of adversity.