In May 1940, with the German army ready to occupy Paris, Noor Inayat Khan was faced with a difficult choice: stand on the sidelines or join the Allied forces fighting the Nazis. After witnessing the devastation across Europe, she traveled to England to learn the art of espionage…

And she used her new skills, her quick thinking, and her knowledge of the French language and radio operations to help fight against a fascist regime. This TED-Ed lesson by author and journalist Shrabani Basu recounts Khan’s work and sacrifice as a secret agent with the French Resistance during World War II.

Related listening: The Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls podcast.

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