Paris-based correspondent John Leicester secured rare, intimate access to 101-year-old Holocaust survivor Ginette Kolinka, capturing a powerful story of memory, resilience and urgency.
Kolinka, one of the last living witnesses to the horrors of Auschwitz, has dedicated her later years to educating younger generations about the realities of the Holocaust. Leicester followed her as she met with schoolchildren, documenting how she shares firsthand accounts of persecution and survival in an effort to combat rising antisemitism and ensure history is not forgotten.
Gaining that access required persistence, as Kolinka’s schedule and the sensitivity of her work with students posed challenges. The result was a deeply human, all-formats story that brought readers into the room — showing not just what she says, but how students receive and react to her testimony.
Leicester’s reporting highlighted Kolinka’s determination to continue speaking out at 101, using her voice to connect past atrocities to present-day concerns.
Judges praised the access, storytelling and emotional depth of the piece, noting its importance in preserving firsthand accounts of history.
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