Throughout history there are tales of individuals who, against all odds, rise to acts of heroism, one of those individuals is Asa Jennings.
The often-unsung hero, an American relief worker, orchestrated the evacuation of up to 1.2 million refugees during the Greco-Turkish War.
He was able to establish an agreement with Mustafa Kemal (aka Ataturk), commander of the Turkish Army, to allow for safe passage for more than 350,000 women, children and old men stranded on the Quai of Smyrna/Izmir, back in September 1922.
Jennings was appointed admiral of the Greek navy after convincing then Greek Prime Minister Dimitrios Gounaris that he was abandoning his brethren, and to trust the word of Ataturk.
Ataturk had only given him seven and he coordinated with all the 56 captains of each vessel day and night, the safe exodus of those fleeing the Fires of Smyrna known as the ‘Great Catastrophe’.
This was all as a survivor of tuberculosis of the spine, having been told by 35 doctors he only had weeks to live in his twenties.
An event is being held on February 22 in Sydney to bring awareness of Jennings deeds.
A discussion panel will be set up to discuss his story which has been researched from historical records to give an account of the events from a Greek perspective and from a Turkish perspective.
Presenters on the day include Christo Miliotis, whose mother was a refugee in Mytilene Lesvos from 1922-1929, and Berna Koker Poljak whose grandmother was part of the great population exchange of Turkish people living in Greece.
Those attending are also encouraged to bring Greek or Turkish food to share in the social room.
When: Saturday February 22, 10.30am to 12.30pm
Where: Rudolf Steiner Book Centre: 307 Sussex Street Sydney 2000
Bookings are essential and can be made via Humanitix.
