Marcy Borders, famously known as the “Dust Lady” from the haunting 9/11 photograph, survived the horrific terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Working on the 81st floor of the North Tower, she narrowly escaped just moments before the towers collapsed. Covered in ash and debris, her image became a poignant symbol of that tragic day.

Borders joined the frantic escape down the tower’s main staircase, passing injured and traumatized people along the way. Firefighters ascended as she descended, urging her not to look back. When she finally reached the exit, she emerged into a thick dust cloud that engulfed her, leaving her disoriented and struggling for breath.

A stranger rescued her and photographer Stan Honda captured that iconic image. Published worldwide, it identified her as the “Dust Lady.” However, life after 9/11 was filled with personal turmoil. Borders battled addiction, triggered by trauma, and later faced a diagnosis of stomach cancer, which she believed might be linked to the attack. She passed away in 2015 at the age of 42.

Her daughter, Noelle, remembered her as a survivor and hero. Borders’ story, like many others from that tragic day, serves as a lasting reminder of the enduring impact of 9/11 on countless lives.