Ann Arnold to be Honored at ‘Heroes’ Event

New York--A global human rights organization will honor one jewelry industry executive who published a book recounting her father’s story of survival during the Second World War.

Ann Arnold’s first book, Together: A Journey for Survival, is the true account of her father Mark Schonwetter and his family’s escape from Nazi persecution through the Polish countryside.

The family was not sent to the death camps; instead they saw a side of World War II that that few people did, or at least lived to tell about--the forests and farms.

As the generation that saw the atrocities of that time period continues to lose its witnesses and survivors, Arnold said she believes that the torch has been passed to the next generations to continue telling the stories.

Since the book came out in May, Arnold has appeared at a number of readings and signings, most recently being asked by the Simon Wiesenthal Center to be one of three honorees at their inaugural “Honoring Heroes for Tolerance” Sept. 11 memorial event in New York City, providing her with a large audience with which she can share the story.

Established in 1977 and named for Austrian Holocaust survivor, Nazi hunter and writer Simon Wiesenthal, the center is a global human rights organization researching the Holocaust and hate in a historic and contemporary context.

Proceeds from the event will directly support the center’s nationally renowned programming to confront hate, bigotry and anti-Semitism through the proactive teaching of tolerance and diversity.

The “Honoring Heroes for Tolerance” event is scheduled to take place on Sept. 11, which will mark the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, at Yankee Stadium at noon.

“I was raised with the story of my father, aunt and grandmother’s journey for survival through the woods of Poland,” Arnold said. “It is one of my most treasured legacies, and I was blessed to learn its lessons throughout my formative years. I am thrilled to have an opportunity to share this legacy with the world.”