Traute Lafrenz is a German-American physician and anthroposophist, who was a member of the White Rose anti-Nazi group during World War II. She completed her medical studies at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in San Francisco and ran a private medical practice, as well as serving as head of the Esperanza School.
On April 19, 1943, Traute and other “White Rose” members were tried and found guilty. Three were executed but Traute was sentenced to one year in prison for distributing the leaflets. She was re-arrested immediately upon the completion of her prison term and was finally liberated from prison by U.S. forces. She emigrated to the United States in 1947.