The bookcase concealing the entrance to the Secret Annex at 263 Prinsengracht was constructed in August 1942 by Johannes Voskuijl, whose daughter Bep played an essential role in sustaining the eight people hidden behind it. As a secretary at Opekta, she navigated the persistent dangers of the German occupation while ensuring the survival of the Frank family.
Early Career at Opekta
Born in Amsterdam in 1919, Elisabeth Voskuijl was the eldest of eight children. To assist with family finances, she worked as a chambermaid and waitress before enrolling at the Instituut Schoevers in 1937 to study stenography and accounting. Upon completion, she joined Opekta as its youngest employee, where she formed a professional partnership with Miep Gies. Her father eventually joined the company as a warehouse supervisor, providing a critical layer of security for the clandestine activities that would follow.
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Following the family's move into hiding on 6 July 1942, Bep Voskuijl assumed responsibility for providing essential supplies, including milk and bread. She coordinated secret support, including arranging correspondence courses in Latin and shorthand for the hiders. Her father assisted by removing waste from the annex and monitoring warehouse activity to maintain the illusion of business as usual. For twenty-five months, Bep successfully concealed these activities from colleagues and her fiancé, Bertus Hulsman.
Connection to Anne Frank
The relationship between Voskuijl and Anne Frank was characterized by close communication and mutual trust. During lunch breaks shared within the Annex, Anne often observed Voskuijl’s character, describing her as good-natured and cheerful. Voskuijl provided Anne with carbon paper for her writing and acted as an early reader for her stories. In October 1942, she stayed one night in the hiding place, an experience that confirmed the overwhelming psychological pressure endured by those in confinement.
Wartime Contribution and Recognition
Following the arrest of the annex residents, Voskuijl secured documents that could have implicated other black market contacts. She returned to the office shortly after to salvage scattered pages of Anne Frank’s diary. In 1972, she was honored as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem. Despite her efforts, she avoided public attention, eventually testifying in 1959 regarding the authenticity of the diary during legal proceedings in Lübeck. Voskuijl remained in Amsterdam until her death in 1983.
Fast facts
- Born: 1919, Amsterdam
- Died: 1983, Amsterdam
- Employer: Opekta Nederland
- Role: Secretary and clerical assistant
- Award: Righteous Among the Nations (1972)
- Pseudonym: Elli Vossen
Questions readers ask
What was Bep Voskuijl's role in the Secret Annex?
She served as a primary provider of food, school supplies, and essential news, while her father helped build the concealing bookcase and managed warehouse security.
Did Bep Voskuijl speak publicly about her experience?
She generally avoided publicity, preferring to distance herself from the spotlight, though she did testify in court in 1959 to confirm the authenticity of Anne Frank's diary.
Achievements
- Righteous Among the Nations — 1972
- Worked as resistance fighter, secretary and clerical assistant
