Anne Frank, a victim of the Holocaust, wrote in her diary, “I want to go on living even after my death.” And, through her words, she did — thanks to Miep Gies.

The name Miep Gies is not nearly as well known as that of Anne Frank. But the world would not have known about Anne Frank if not for Miep Gies, who died last week.

It was Gies who helped hide the Frank family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.

It was Gies who saved the young girl’s diary after the Franks were taken into custody and shipped off to concentration camps, where all died except Anne’s father, Otto. It was Gies who gave Anne’s diary to her father after World War II ended.

The publication of the teen’s diary in 1947 personalized the atrocities committed by the Nazis.

While outlining life under Nazi occupation and in hiding, the book also showed the shared hopes and dreams people have, regardless of their backgrounds or ethnicity.

With the ongoing problem of racism, anti-Semitism and people fearing — or just not liking — anyone who is “different,” the story of Anne Frank remains relevant today.

Likewise, the story of Miep Gies carries a contemporary message — one that should go on living even after her death.

Although she said, “There is nothing special about me. … I was only willing to do what was asked of me and what seemed necessary at the time,” Gies was, indeed, special.

How many of us would be willing to go out on a limb the way Miep Gies, her husband and friends did — risking imprisonment or even death?

How many of us are willing to risk even social ostracism or criticism from companions by sticking up for the downtrodden or speaking out against the use of racial or ethnic slurs?

These are timely questions not only as we mourn the death of Gies but also as we celebrate today the memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Gies once said in an interview that she did not want to be considered a “hero” because she feared people would not help other people if they thought you had to be a “hero” to do so.

But her actions were heroic and they should be a continuing inspiration.

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