About the Author

Jeannie Opdyke Smith grew up watching the ripple effects of one woman’s courage. Her mother, Irene Gut Opdyke—a teenage nurse in Nazi-occupied Poland—risked everything to shelter Jewish families. That story became the award-winning memoir In My Hands, inspired the Broadway play Irena’s Vow, and was recently adapted for the screen. Jeannie now carries this torch with a message both timeless and timely: every day, people can do extraordinary good.

In Irene’s Daughter (memoir), Jeannie invites readers behind the curtain—into family rooms, hospital corridors, school auditoriums, and backstage moments where the legacy of courage kept unfolding. It’s a daughter’s honest reckoning with fear, grief, humor, and providence—and a field guide for ordinary bravery.

Her contemporary book, The Other Side of Thirst, explores love, loss, and the ache to be known. Through the lens of a modern “Samaritan woman,” Jeannie charts a path from isolation and regret to living water. The result is tender and fiercely hopeful—perfect for readers and small groups longing for a do-over that actually lasts.

Off the page, Jeannie is a seasoned speaker who has addressed thousands—from Broadway theaters to classrooms and community centers. She’s known for disarming warmth, vivid narrative, and clear next steps that turn inspiration into action. When she’s not on the road, you’ll find her traveling with her husband, or spending time with whichever young person happens to be hanging around their home… or with a stack of marked-up books, planning the next story that just might change someone’s life.