When the Nazis started liquidation of the Bialystok ghetto, Kracowska's mother and young brother were sent to the death camps. Kracowska stayed in the ghetto and participated in the Bialystok ghetto uprising. which took place on Aug. 16, 1943, the final liquidation of the ghetto. As soon as the aktia began, she reported to her preassigned spot on the ghetto fence on Smolna Street where homemade Molotov cocktails were already in place.