Meet the two unmarried sisters who traveled to Europe on a secret mission to save lives

Ida and Louise Cook were unmarried sisters who loved to travel and adored opera. But behind their seemingly ordinary adventures lay a secret mission that changed lives forever. In the years leading up to World War II, these two women turned their passion for culture and exploration into a daring effort to save Jews from Nazi persecution—and their story deserves to be told.

They did it all on their own dime, self-financing their missions without support from any government or organizations. They lived frugally to afford their plans and successfully brought dozens of people to safety in England, even renting an apartment to house the refugees while they continued to live with their parents.

Ida and Louise grew up in Sunderland, England, in a modest working-class family. They didn’t have much growing up but shared a love for books, storytelling, and music. Ida eventually became a romance novelist under the pen name Mary Burchell, while Louise worked as a secretary. Their shared passion, though, was opera.

Related

Experience queer culture with these destinations and activities you won’t want to miss
From theater companies, to murals painted on the sides of buildings, LGBTQ+ art is everywhere, if you know where to look.

Pack your bags, we’re going on an adventure

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the best LGBTQ+ travel guides, stories, and more.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today

Opera wasn’t just a hobby for them; it was their ticket to the world. They traveled across Europe, attending performances and meeting the artists they admired. But as fascism spread across the continent, the Cook sisters realized their trips could be about more than just music. They saw firsthand the rising dangers facing Jewish families and decided to take action.

By the late 1930s, life for Jews in Nazi-occupied territories was becoming increasingly dangerous. Families were desperate to flee, but restrictive immigration laws and financial hurdles made escape almost impossible. That’s where Ida and Louise stepped in. Using their opera trips as a cover, they began smuggling valuables out of Nazi-controlled countries to help Jewish families secure visas and escape to safety.

Ida and Louise became friends with prominent opera stars and conductors through their frequent travels. These connections didn’t just enrich their cultural lives; it also gave them access to vital information and resources to help those in need.

Courage under fire

Their process was both simple and incredibly risky. They would travel to Germany or Austria for an opera performance dressed as two dowdy women in homemade clothes and return to England through a different checkpoint clad in furs and expensive jewelry with documents and cash hidden in their clothing. They would act like foolish women, claiming they couldn’t possibly leave such finery and valuables unattended in their apartment.

The documents and valuables served as proof of financial solvency, a requirement for refugees to enter the UK or other countries. Once inside the country and ensconced in their apartment, the two would connect refugees with British sponsors who could help with the immigration process.

Traveling across Europe at that time wasn’t for the faint of heart. The Cook sisters faced constant scrutiny from Nazi officials, and every trip carried the risk of arrest. But their unassuming demeanor and cover as opera enthusiasts helped them avoid suspicion repeatedly.

By the time World War II broke out, Ida and Louise had helped save 29 individuals and families from certain death. While the number might seem small in the context of the Holocaust, every life they saved was a testament to their bravery and determination. To put it in perspective, while millions of Black Americans were enslaved, heroine Harriet Tubman brought 70 people to safety in the North. The number doesn’t matter as much as the daring deed itself.

Once the war ended, the sisters didn’t seek recognition for their actions. Ida continued writing novels, and Louise stayed active in social causes. They considered their efforts during the war a moral obligation, not something worthy of praise.

Related

Gianni Versace’s favorite gay bar is reinventing itself after 36 years
It made history as the first bar and restaurant on Ocean Drive, which would become one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the country.

Ida wrote a memoir about their exploits. She downplayed their role in it, saying that what they offered wasn’t much. In exchange for saving lives, they only needed “some trouble, some eloquence, and some money.”

Travel is more than tourism

Ida and Louise Cook’s story is a powerful reminder that travel can be about more than personal enjoyment—it can be a way to make a difference. You don’t have to be a diplomat or a soldier to fight injustice; sometimes, all it takes is creativity, courage, and a willingness to act.

Their legacy should inspire LGBTQ+ travelers today, whether through volunteer tourism, supporting local communities, or simply being mindful of the world’s inequalities. The Cook sisters remind us that we can use our journeys to leave the world a little better than we found it.

Ida and Louise’s adventures weren’t just about opera and sightseeing. They were about humanity. They turned their passion into a mission to save lives, proving that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. Their story should be a beacon of hope and a challenge to all queer people: How can we use our passions and talents to help others?

The next time you plan a trip, think about Ida and Louise Cook. Their travels weren’t just about where they went but what they did along the way. Your journey can be about more than just the destination too.

Join the GayCities newsletter for weekly updates on the best LGBTQ+ destinations and events—nearby and around the world.