Virtual Memorial Service: Remembering Jan Ruff-O’Herne

This year’s August 19 marks the first anniversary of the death of Jan Ruff-O’Herne (a Dutch-Australian born in the Dutch Indies, present-day Indonesia, 1923–2019), who was a victim of Japanese military sexual slavery. On August 14, Friends of Comfort Women in Sydney and Melbourne Comfort Women Memorial (MCWM) Task Force (Melbourne, Australia) are organizing a Zoom memorial service in honor of Jan Ruff-O’Herne.

​This event will be led by Jan’s loved ones: Carol Ruff, daughter of Jan, and Ruby Challenger, granddaughter of Jan and a film director, who will perform the commemoration songs. Ruby Challenger will talk about her movie, The Handkerchief, which recounts Jan's inspirational life. Pastor Bill Crews from Uniting Church where the Sydney Peace Girl statue is located will read passages from the Bible.

ESJF is one of the supporting organizations for this event.