Sophie Scholl was born on May 9, 1921 in Forchtenberg, Germany.

Her family moved to Ulm, about two hours south when she was 11.

Brigitte Eicke was born and raised in 1927 in Berlin, Germany just six hours north of Sophie’s home.

Sophie grew up with three sisters and two brothers. They were very close and with so many kids, Sophie could easily find a playmate.

Brigitte grew up with her parents and many aunts, uncles, grandparents. She enjoyed outings in the country to visit them.

The BDM or League of German Girls was a youth group where girls went to learn how to be a good German girl. Most young girls joined because they liked the activities like camping and sports and because their friends joined too.

Sophie joined the BDM even though her father didn’t like Hitler or his youth groups. She even became a leader in the 1930s. She enjoyed the scouting expeditions and the comraderie of her friends.

Brigitte also joined the BDM and she too became a leader in the 1930s.

She was good at the sporting competitions and she liked the camping, except for the food.

Brigitte also loved being with her friends. She is the first girl on the left in this picture.

In 1936, Sophie, along with her brother Hans became disenchanted with Hilter and the BDM. They were told that they were not allowed to sing their favorite songs or read their favorite poetry because the writers were Jewish.  

Brigitte stayed in the League of German Girls or BDM mostly to be with her friends, but she didn't really mind it. She said, "Usually all we did was sing songs. But yes, we were pretty keen on Hitler — of course we were, we were all indoctrinated as children. We young people were indoctrinated to believe in the good of the regime to the end.” In 1944, Brigitte joined the Nazi party.

By the late 1930s, Sophie had begun to cause trouble in school. She didn't like some of the Nazi ideas they were teaching. Sophie's sister Elisabeth hoped there would be no war, but Sophie argued, “I hope there will be a war. Hopefully, someone will stand up to Hitler. “