Germaine Suter-Morax

Germaine Suter-Morax (26 July 1896, in Morges – 27 July 1974, in Pully) was a key figure in the reception in French-speaking Switzerland of former French Resistance women deportees. As general secretary of the Swiss aid committee of the , led by her husband, she contributed until spring 1947 to the reception and recovery of 500 women in nine homes in French-speaking Switzerland, working with Geneviève de Gaulle to finance these efforts.

Biography

Early life and family Germaine Suter-Morax was born on July 26, 1896, in Morges, Vaud, Switzerland under the name Germaine Morax. Originating from Mex, in the Canton of Vaud, she was the daughter of Louis Morax, a merchant in Morges, and Julia née Meystre. She grew up with three brothers and one sister. Her father was the cousin of Jean Morax, René Morax, and Victor Morax.

Education After attending the girls’ gymnasium in Lausanne, Suter-Morax studied at the University of Lausanne, where she obtained a degree in political science in 1918. Germaine Suter-Morax collaborated with Geneviève de Gaulle, a former resistance fighter and deportee, to organize numerous conferences across the Confederation to finance this reception, also benefiting from the support of the

Personal life In 1923, she married Gottlieb Suter (sometimes called Gotto) in Paris, an administrator of the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier, son of , a pioneer of the cooperative movement and musician, and Berthe Suter née Ruffy. The couple had four children.

Death Germaine Suter-Morax died on July 27, 1974, in Pully, Vaud, Switzerland, aged 78.

Honors Suter-Morax, although considered for the Legion of Honour on the recommendation of the general’s niece, decided to decline this honour. After her death, Geneviève de Gaulle paid tribute to her crucial commitment to the reception of former deportees.