Holocaust Survivor Who Fought Off Purse Snatcher Will Be Awarded by State Senator

WEST VILLAGE, NY — Gina Zuckerman, the 90-year-old Holocaust survivor who fought off an attacker that tried to steal her purse earlier this year, is receiving an official award for her bravery from New York State Sen. Brad Hoylman on Thursday.

Zuckerman escaped Germany through a Jewish organization after spending six years in the labor camps. She's lived in New York City for 60 years. She was no match for a purse snatcher.

According to police, Zuckerman was walking from her apartment in Chelsea to the senior center near Washington Square Park on the morning of Sept. 27 when a woman came up, tried to grab her purse, and they wrestled over it, resulting in Zuckerman being slammed to the ground.

Zuckerman was able to fight off the attacker and suffered just minor injuries.

Hoylman is presenting Zuckerman with an official Senate Proclamation to recognize her bravery but also to raise awareness that the attacker is still on the loose, according to the NYPD.

The ceremony takes place Oct. 27 at Greenwich House Senior Center on the Square at 20 Washington Square North, between Fifth Avenue & Macdougal Street, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Photo credit: Sarah Kaufman/Patch