# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Netherlands has been jam-packed with incredible, powerful, and strong women throughout history - and today.
To mark International Women's Day, or as the Dutch say Internationale Vrouwendag, what better way than celebrating a selection of Dutch women who championed feminism in their own way.

Here are 11 kick-ass Dutch women whose legacies live on.

11 Anna Maria van Schurman: first university student in Europe

1607 - 1678

Anna Maria made waves as the first woman who attended university in the Netherlands - and potentially in Europe. However, it wasn't easy: at her lectures, she had to be hidden behind a curtain because lordy be, a female in the classroom may just distract the good male students.

All in all, it was worth it: Anna Maria became well-educated, could speak 14 languages, including Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac, Aramaic, and Ethiopic, as well as various contemporary European languages. She was also renowned as a scholar, poet, and painter. What a legend!

10 Cornelia 'Corrie' ten Boom: weapon of the Dutch Resistance

"Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart." Corrie Ten Boom - Nazi Holocaust Survivor pic.twitter.com/bW52ygrvgH

- S Uzzell ⭐ I AM JUDEN (@StephenUzzell2) May 9, 2020

1892 - 1983
Corrie ten Boom is credited with saving around 800 Jews during World War II through her work in the Dutch Resistance. Corrie and her family opened their home to refugees, hiding them behind a secret wall.

Corrie later worked to smuggle Jews to safety through underground networks. Unfortunately, Corrie and her family were caught, and she was arrested and sent to the Ravensbrück concentration camp. She was released in late December 1944, but discovered it was due to a clerical error - the other women in her camp were sent to the gas chambers a year later.

9 Fanny Blankers-Koen: the flying housewife

1918 - 2004

Fanny Blankers was a 30-year-old mother of two when she competed in the 1948 London Olympics. She became the most successful athlete at the event when she won FOUR gold medals for the 100m, 200m and 80m hurdles PLUS the 4 x 100m relay.

Fanny, nicknamed "the flying housewife", didn't leave her success at the Olympics. She went on to win five European titles, set/tied for 12 world records and won a whopping 58 Dutch championships. In 1999, she was awarded the title "athlete of the century" by the International Association of Athletics Federation - flying champion seems like a more accurate description!

8 Elisabeth Wandscherer: the original "let them eat cake"

Unknown - 1535

A jump back in time takes us to Elisabeth Wandscherer, one of the 16 wives of the dictator Jan van Leiden. Van Leiden chose Elisabeth as one of his many spouses in the German city of Munster after he made polygamy compulsory - his convenient response to the fact that the number of women in the city outnumbered the number of men.

But Elisabeth wasn't a quiet wife: when the city was under siege during the Muster Rebellion, food shortages caused starvation. Elisabeth openly criticised Van Leiden for living a life of luxury while his people starved. She returned the lavish gifts he had given her and requested to leave the city - but Van Leiden wasn't a particularly reasonable man and had her publically beheaded instead.

7 Mata Hari: a sex symbol who owned it

1886-1917
Born in Leeuwarden as Margaretha Zelle, Mata Hari is one of history's best known Courtesans. The Dutch dancer who lived in Holland, Indonesia and France began her career after leaving her husband, Dutch Colonial Army Captain Rudolf MacLeod, due to his alcoholism and abusive nature.

Along with a track record of infidelity, she cut the ties of married life and took to the stage. She believed her " flawless body " was a gift from God, and that it was a crime not to flaunt it - so she did. You go, girl!

As a feminist ahead of her time, she pursued her dream unconventionally. But it was her travels between the UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands that drew the attention of the Germans. The Germans believed she was working as double agent for both Germany and France during World War I.

On February 13, 1917, Mata was arrested by the French on the grounds of being a secret agent. She was found guilty of espionage and executed by a firing squad on October 15, 1917.

6 Sylvia Kristel: from a turbulent upbringing to silver screen star

1952 - 2012

Born in Utrecht, Sylvia won Miss TV Europe in 1973 at just 21. Her linguistic talents opened doors for her into the film industry. Best known for her roles in the five Emmanuelle films she was famed for bringing "softcore" pornography to mainstream cinema. Sylvia won critical acclaim for her title role.

Emmanuelle remains to this day the most iconic erotic French film ever made. Clearly not averse to getting her kit off, she also starred in Lady Chatterley's Lover (the first "Fifty Shades" of its time) and even played Mata Hari in the nudity filled WW1 biopic.

However, Kristel had a turbulent upbringing. She was abandoned by her father, abused as child, and was addicted to drugs and alcohol. It was no surprise that after 49 years of smoking, lung cancer finally took her life, aged just 60.

5 Hannie Schaft: red-haired badass of the Dutch Resistance

1920-45

Jannetje Johanna Schaft is famously known as "the girl with the red hair" or Hannie Schaft. She worked for the Dutch resistance during the German occupation of the Netherlands. She acted as an assassin and saboteur for the resistance and became known to the Germans as "the girl with the red hair" - a description that was placed on the Nazi's most-wanted list.

Schaft carried out many brave acts of resistance but sadly did not survive the German occupation. She was arrested at a military checkpoint in Haarlem on 21 March, 1945 and was executed by Nazi officials on April 17, 1945. She was shot at close range by two German soldiers, however, their first attempt only wounded her. She is said to have told them " I k schiet beter ", meaning "I shoot better" before receiving one last fatal shot.

4 Freddie Oversteegen: the teen Dutch resistance fighter

1925-2018

Freddie Oversteegen was just 14-years-old when she became an assassin for the Dutch resistance during the German occupation of the Netherlands. She belonged to a group of three young women (including her sister, Truus and Hannie Schaft) who would sabotage and assassinate German soldiers and traitors during the German occupation .

Freddie was quite small and wore her hair in two braids which made her look innocent and enabled her to get away easily. Her method of attack was often a drive-by - Truus would cycle a bike whilst Freddie sat on the back and shot.

However, Freddie is most famed for her second assassination technique. She would meet soldiers and collaborators in the taverns and ask them if they would like to go "for a stroll." Upon accepting the offer, the targets would be led to the woods and shot in a surprise attack.

3 Aletta Jacobs: suffragette and the first female Dutch doctor

1854 - 1929

Aletta was a Dutch suffrage activist born in Sappemeer. As the daughter of a doctor, she knew from an early age the future she wanted for herself. Aletta was taught many languages along with history and mathematics (all subjects saved for the boys).

Thanks to her father's encouragement after being denied access to secondary education in 1867, she fought for her rights later qualifying against the odds to become an assistant chemist. Aletta obtained permission from the then First Minister of The Netherlands to attend a university where she became the first Dutch female to complete a degree in medicine and become a doctor.

Her work and championing of feminism filled her entire life. Aletta worked to protect women from trafficking and the impunity of prostitution. She helped to protect women from STI's and provided contraception to women by offering free consultations to prostitutes, poor people and children.

In 1903, Aletta became the leader of the International Women Suffrage Alliance - truly championing women's rights and helped lead women to obtain the right to vote in 1919.

2 Corry Tendeloo: champion for equality

1897-1956

Born in Indonesia, Corry then grew up in Leiden before becoming a lawyer in Amsterdam. It was a love for parity, social movements and justice that lead her into a life of public service and ultimately politics. Beginning her political career as a councillor she then obtained her seat after the war in the House of Representatives.

Corry is the one to thank for women having the right to work as it was her efforts that helped to abolish the law that insisted only married women had the right to work. Sadly Corry died before seeing this emancipation for women which allowed them to legally obtain gainful employment. Her work in seeking equality between husband and wife and men and women is still referenced today, she helped to squash sexist rules that prevented women from thriving.

1 Anne Frank: a writer's glimpse into WWII

1929-1945

We couldn't possibly finish this post without a nod to arguably the most well known bad-ass woman of the Netherlands, Miss Anne Frank. World-renowned and a story everyone knows, Anne provided the only real insight we have into the worlds biggest mess.

Anne's diary provided a window into the life of a family fearful for their lives and innocently caught up in Hitler's Nazi Germany. A heartbreaking story that will forever bring her little piece of history to life. The story of Anne Frank humanised WWII in a way that nothing else could.
READ MORE | Laureen Nussbaum talks about her friend Anne Frank, the Holocaust and taking responsibility Who is your Dutch heroine and where do you seek inspiration from this International Women's Day/Internationale Vrouwendag?
Editor's Note: Sarah O'Leary and Samantha Dixon also contributed to this article. This article was originally published in March 2018, but was updated in March 2021 for your reading pleasure.
Feature Image: Composite/DutchReview

Born and raised in England Maria is a Dutch obsessive. Not just in love with the windmills and tulips her passion for all things Orange has spanned over 10 years. Proud feminist and campaigner, Maria works in UK politics whilst dreaming about eventually moving to the Netherlands.

report this ad

DUTCHREVIEW NEWSLETTER report this ad

RECENT POSTS

CHECK EVENTS LISTINGS FOR MORE

Dee Aspros

Brajesh

Brenda

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
11 kick-ass Dutch women you should know of this #InternationalWomensDay - DutchReview

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Netherlands has been jam-packed with incredible, powerful, and strong women throughout history - and today. To mark International Women's Day, or as the Dutch say Internationale Vrouwendag, what better way than celebrating a selection of Dutch women who championed feminism in their own way. Here are 11 kick-ass Dutch women whose legacies live on.

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.text
It's International Women's Day - Show some love for all the amazing Trans Women and NB Femmes out there! ❤️
Here's a film we made celebrating Trans Women and Non binary femmes. #internationalwomensday #IWD2021

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.original_text
It's International Women's Day - Show some love for all the amazing Trans Women and NB Femmes out there! ❤️
Here's a film we made celebrating Trans Women and Non binary femmes. #internationalwomensday #IWD2021 https://t.co/2pDnYyKT1b

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.embed_code
It's International Women's Day - Show some love for all the amazing Trans Women and NB Femmes out there! ❤️
Here's a film we made celebrating Trans Women and Non binary femmes. #internationalwomensday #IWD2021 pic.twitter.com/2pDnYyKT1b
— My Genderation (@mygenderation) March 8, 2021

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props_source.data.text
It's International Women's Day - Show some love for all the amazing Trans Women and NB Femmes out there! ❤️
Here's a film we made celebrating Trans Women and Non binary femmes. #internationalwomensday #IWD2021 https://t.co/2pDnYyKT1b

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.original_text
It's International Women's Day - Show some love for all the amazing Trans Women and NB Femmes out there! ❤️
Here's a film we made celebrating Trans Women and Non binary femmes. #internationalwomensday #IWD2021 https://t.co/2pDnYyKT1b

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.text
It's International Women's Day - Show some love for all the amazing Trans Women and NB Femmes out there! ❤️
Here's a film we made celebrating Trans Women and Non binary femmes. #internationalwomensday #IWD2021

# data[].attributes.body
"It's not the absence of fear, it's overcoming it. Sometimes you've got to blast through and have faith." - Emma Watson

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
how much did whitney wolfe make on bumble ipo?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd becomes the youngest woman to take a company public

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bumble founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd discusses its debut on the public markets.

# data[].attributes.body
Be afraid, but show up anyway.

# data[].attributes.body
is a tribe of great women who have her back.
<3

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Episode 14 | Sex and Love

Adwoa talks to netball stars, and sisters, Sasha & Kadeen Corbin, about sisterly love, love for the game and loving yourself

Adwoa talks to netball stars, and sisters, Sasha & Kadeen Corbin, about sisterly love, love for the game and loving yourself
-> View All Podcasts

Latest News

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
To all the Gurls who want to be heard, we are here and we are listening. To all the Gurls who need support, we are here and ready to hold you up. To all the Gurls who just need to a place to be themselves, welcome to Gurls Talk.

# data[].attributes.headline
"Well behaved women rarely make history" 

# data[].attributes.subject
"Well behaved women rarely make history" 

# data[].attributes.body
- Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

# data[].attributes.body
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” –Eleanor Roosevelt.

# data[].attributes.body
Dame Evelyn Glennie "I'm not a deaf musician. I'm a musician who is happens to be deaf"

# data[].attributes.body
Gertrude Ederle Olympic swimmer (1905-2003) first female to swim English Channel on her second attempt. She designed her own (non-wool) costume, adorned motorcycle goggles and nailed it the second time.

# data[].attributes.body
Cuddle those you love, work hard but that marathon you think you're running? It's not there so just come off the track. That finishing line is invisible, a figment of your imagination, so stop trying to reach it before the others. We're here for five minutes: enjoy the view.
C.Winkleman

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable | Luvvie Ajayi Jones | TED

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sheryl Sandberg: Why we have too few women leaders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg looks at why a smaller percentage of women than men reach the top of their professions -- and offers 3 powerful pieces of advice to women aiming for the C-suite.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
#ChooseToChallenge the biases and barriers that disempower women... beginning by looking within.
getty

Women across the globe have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Making up the lost ground, much less permanently levelling the playing field , will take time.

Yet waiting for time alone to dismantle the systemic barriers that make women more vulnerable in crisis and the leadership climb steeper is hardly an option. Not when the World Economic Forum estimates it will take at least 250 years.

MORE FROM FORBES Women Are Quitting: How We Can Curb The 'She-Cession' And Support Working Women

Clearly it will require much more than time. It will take a concentrated effort on the part of policymakers and corporate power-brokers. And it will take courage... on the part of women and the men who champion them.

The good news: each of us can play our part.

As we approach International Women's Day, here are three ways you can embrace the #ChooseToChallenge theme of this year's IWD and do just that.
-1- Challenge your doubts
The gender confidence gap is contentious, but it's . While not all women lack the confidence to achieve what they want or change what they don't, many do.

The oft-cited from Hewlett-Packard which found that where men are comfortable applying for a job with only 6 or the 10 'ideal candidate' attributes compared to women who want to have a fat tick in all ten boxes is testament to how women judge themselves more harshly and are more reticent to put themselves 'out there.'

Many factors contribute to why women tend to doubt themselves more and back themselves less. These include:

· Fewer mentors, sponsors and career champions

· Risking the 'backlash effect' for acting outside traditional female caretaker role prescriptions

Add to this the unconscious internalization of misogynist 'think manager, think male' gender norms and it's hardly surprising that many women struggle to embrace their unique feminine leadership strengths and underestimate the value they bring. Little wonder so many incredibly accomplished, talented women struggle with imposter syndrome .

Yet only when we women dare to challenge the negative noises in their head urging them to think small and play safe, can we ever discover how little reason we had to believe them.
Don't wait for confidence! -2- Challenge the labels and limiting beliefs of others
Growing up on a small farm in the Aussie bush, my father - who left school at 16 and milked dairy cows for 50 years - used to tell me that he saw great things for me... like one day becoming Sister Margaret Mary in charge of a convent. By the time I was in my early teens, he'd clearly raised sights as I still remember him telling me, with great pride, "Actually I think you could be a Mother Margaret Mary, in charge of a whole order of convents."

Alas, I never felt the calling.

However I share that story, amusing as it is, because my parents limited vision for me was confined by the limited horizons of their own lives.

We all know that women can be labelled bossy for acting with equal assertiveness to the men beside them. Or that the word 'ambition' is negatively correlated for women (but not for men.) Or that women who are seen as too kind, too nice or too communal can be judged as less leaderlike than men. Yet when they behave competitively, they are considered less likeable.

Clearly, women face many double-binds and must contend with more limiting labels and lower expectations than men. Even well-meaning parents, like my own, can hem in how their daughters see themselves. For instance, parents of boys are more likely to see their sons being successful tech entrepreneurs than their daughters. Gender bias starts early and runs deep, permeating into our psyche in profound yet invisible ways.

While power has no gender, our mental template for power is intrinsically male. Yet the only way we will ever reconstruct the gendered mental maps from which our negative labels and limiting beliefs arise is by challenging them.

MORE FROM FORBES Dear Fellow Women: Own The Difference Your Difference Makes
-3- Challenge other women to back themselves more
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright once said there is a special place in hell for women who don't support other women. Here, here. But I think we need to raise the bar higher; to pro-actively go out of our way to lift other women up - to challenge how they see themselves, how they speak about themselves, and what they see as possible for themselves.

So next time you hear a woman talking herself down, focusing on what she hasn't done or minimizing all that she has, call her out. With love, of course.

After negatively comparing my own media platform with Oprah's after following a podcast interview I did with Presidential Candidate Marianne Williamson, she looked me square in the eye and said something that's stuck:

"There is nothing holy in diminishing yourself."

Words hold power. What we say about ourselves, and others, is generative as well as descriptive.

So next time you hear a woman talk herself down or deflect a compliment, even sarcastically, draw her attention to it. (This probably won't take long since most women I know struggle to accept a compliment.)

Alice Walker once said:

"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.

So own your power and challenge other women when they disempower themselves.

The world is hungry for women to embrace their value, to defy their doubts, and to make a bet on themselves.

Choose to challenge.
Dr Margie Warrell is a bestselling , and women's leadership advocate. She is also the creator of the Brave Women Rising leadership program. Hear her speak at Simmons Women's Leadership Conference.
... Read More

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Three Simple Ways You Can #ChooseToChallenge This International Women's Day

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Women across the globe have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Making up the lost ground, much less permanently levelling the playing field , will take time. Yet waiting for time alone to dismantle the systemic barriers that make women more vulnerable in crisis and the leadership climb steeper is hardly an option.

# data[].attributes.body
Amelia Earhart (1897 - 1937) was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

# data[].attributes.body
'There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish' Michelle Obama