Lieutenant General Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan awarded the Aletta Jacobs Prize 2026

The University of Groningen (UG) has awarded the Aletta Jacobs Prize 2026 to Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan, the first female lieutenant general in the Dutch armed forces. The prize will be presented on Friday 6 March 2026 by the Rector Magnificus of the UG, Prof. Jacquelien Scherpen

Jury motivation

According to the jury of the Aletta Jacobs Prize, Lieutenant General Boekholt-O'Sullivan is a woman who holds her own in the male-dominated world of the armed forces, while staying true to herself. Jury chair Prof. Marie-José van Tol: ‘She is a strong leader and an impressive speaker. She succeeds in drawing attention to the still misogynistic aspects of the Ministry of Defence in a humorous way, thereby helping to make the culture more equal from within. She is committed to a more diverse personnel policy and has a strong moral compass. She also excels at connecting with the outside world and is an inspiring and a supportive role model.’

'We demand the night'

Boekholt-O’Sullivan is using the publicity surrounding the award to help promote the “We demand the night” campaign. The campaign is committed to ensuring the safety of women in public spaces and calls for an end to harassment and violence against women. Boekholt-O’Sullivan: ‘At the Ministry of Defence, we protect what is dear to us. We usually do so in faraway places, but there is still work to be done in the Netherlands. Women should be able to walk the streets safely and feel safe at home. As a society, we must strive to ensure that this is not only on someone else’s agenda, but also on our own, because women are dear to us.’

Flak jackets for women

Among other things, Boekholt-O’Sullivan ensured that the Ministry of Defence acquired more flak jackets designed for women. The existing jackets — designed for men — were uncomfortable and unsafe for women because they did not fit the upper body properly. She also introduced a dress option to the women’s daily uniform, giving women a choice. This way, women can wear whatever makes them feel comfortable and powerful. In addition, she advocates for equality in European armed forces. One of the occasions on which she did so was during a video message to the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality on the occasion of International Women’s Day. She emphasized that the system is still structured around the male ‘standard soldier’ and also discussed the broader role of women in security and conflict prevention. She called on the EU to continue its efforts to promote a greater role for women in peace processes.

First female air base commander

In 2016, Boekholt-O’Sullivan (1976) took up her post as commander of Eindhoven Air Base with the rank of colonel. This made her the first female air base commander and the second non-pilot to become commander. She was promoted to lieutenant general in 2022, becoming the first woman to hold this rank in the Dutch armed forces. The following year, she was named Top Woman of the Year.

Historic day

‘It was a conscious decision to announce the winner today,’ says chair of the jury Van Tol. It was on this day, 30 September 1847, that Wilhelmina Drucker was born, a pioneer for women’s rights, and the inspiration and namesake of the Dolle Mina movement. ‘Drucker, Aletta Jacobs, and Boekholt-O’Sullivan all drew highlighted the specific characteristics of women’s bodies. Today’s Dolle Minas also draw attention to the equality and safety of women. We really appreciate these similarities.’

Aletta Jacobs Prize

Every other year, the University of Groningen awards the Aletta Jacobs Prize to a woman with an academic background who has contributed to women’s emancipation in the national or international arena. The prize was established by the late Prof. Erik Bleumink, former Rector Magnificus and President of the Board of the University. Previous Aletta Jacobs Prize-winners include Rebecca Gomperts, Khadija Arib, Lilianne Ploumen, Neelie Kroes, Lilian Gonçalves-Ho Kang You, and Els Borst.

More information

• Aletta Jacobs Prize
• Colourful Characters: Aletta Jacobs