ELLEN BIRD AND THE STRAUS FAMILY

Ida Straus was a wealthy wife and mother in 1912. She and her husband Isidor Straus co-owned Macy’s department store, and Isidor worked as a U.S. Representative for the state of New York.  The couple was traveling in Europe when they hired Ellen Bird to sail as their personal maid on the RMS Titanic.

On the night of the disaster, Isidor, Ida and their maid Ellen were standing near Lifeboat 8. When pressured by the crew to board the Lifeboat, Mr. Straus refused to leave Titanic with other women still on board. Ida gave up her spot to Ellen in order to stay with her husband.

When Ellen was boarding the boat, Ida handed over her fur coat to the girl and told her she wouldn’t be needing it.

The couple did not survive the disaster, but Ellen lived to tell their story. 

Ida’s bravery in the face of death, her husband Isidor’s chivalry, and their loyalty to each other became legendary.

Later in life, Ellen Bird worked as a maid for the Spedden family, who were also Titanic survivors.

Read more about Titanic on our Stories From The Titanic blog...