From 1933 to 1945, Käthe Petersen (1903-1981) conducted forced sterilisations and sent socially marginalised and needy people in Hamburg to concentration camps. Many died as a result of these measures.
After 1945, Petersen continued her career as a lawyer. As a senior government director and chairwoman of social organisations, she influenced social policy. In 1973, she was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit.