Stefania Budniak

Stefania Budniak (12 July 1912-16 July 1982) was a member of the Polish resistance who was voluntarily sent to Auschwitz in her husband's place during the Second World War. Budniak was liberated from Zwodau concentration camp by American soldiers on 7 May 1945.

Early life Budniak was born on 12 July 1912 Grodziec (Będzin). She became a point of contact, and their home became a place of accommodation for other resistance members of the area. She also conducted radio intercepts and participated in printing the (in English: Armed Action), an underground pamphlet for the resistance. Budniak was arrested on 28 October 1943 at the foresters lodge in Kobielach village. Budniak was imprisoned while being investigated in Częstochowa. She wore a red felt triangle badge, identifying Budniak as a political prisoner. While imprisoned, Budniak helped to construct roads, worked in the fields, and worked in the camp sewing room. Zwodau concentration camp was liberated by American soldiers on 7 May 1945.

Death and legacy Budniak died on and was laid to rest at the Marysin Cemetery in Warsaw, Poland. In 2010, Budniak's family donated the prisoner's dress, the prisoner number from Helmbrecht, the red felt triangle, the photo of Ewa and Barbara, and the handwritten note documenting the march to Zwodau to the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. The Budniak family maintained possession of the two small plastic figurines and the plastic ring with the camp number, stating that the last items may be donated at a later date.