Under Nazi rule in 1938, Ingeborg Syllm-Rapoport wasn't allowed to take an exam to receive her doctorate because of her Jewish roots. But, the 102-year-old made history on Tuesday by becoming the oldest people to ever receive a Ph.D.
As a neonatologist, or a person trained to care for newborns, Syllm Rapoport received her degree from the University of Hamburg in Germany. The big moment is shown in the touching video below as Syllm-Rapoport gave a speech to all who came to support.
"After almost 80 years, it was possible to restore some extent of justice," said Burkhard Goeke, medical director of the university's hospital. "We cannot undo injustices that have been committed, but our insights into the past shape our perspective for the future."
While the degree honors Syllm-Rapoport’s academic capabilities, it also helps society move forward from a dark time when Nazis prevented many Jewish people from getting an education.
"For me personally, the degree didn't mean anything, but to support the great goal of coming to terms with history — I wanted to be part of that," the pediatrician told German public television station NDR.
After moving to the United States for several years, the mother of four now lives in Berlin, Germany.
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