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In the footsteps of Aletta Jacobs

Aletta Jacobs

Aletta Jacobs was the first woman in the Netherlands to register at a university as a regular student, on 20 April 1871. Now, 150 years later, the UG honours her with ‘the Aletta Year’. Part of the celebration is this series of interviews and articles about remarkable and inspiring alumnae of our university. During the Aletta Year we will publish one interview every week.

'Do what you want, but make sure you can pay for your own shopping.'

'Do what you want, but make sure you can pay for your own shopping.'

Japke-d. Bouma, journalist and columnist

'European law has changed a lot for women'

'European law has changed a lot for women'

Sacha Prechal, judge at the European Court of Justice

'If you can’t find any women, keep looking.’

'If you can’t find any women, keep looking.’

Giny Boer, CEO C&A Europe

'It seemed only logical to me that people should be equal'

'It seemed only logical to me that people should be equal'

Renske Leijten, member of the House of Representatives for the Socialistische Partij (SP)

'I will be drawing on my history as an athlete for the rest of my life. It’s a common thread.'

'I will be drawing on my history as an athlete for the rest of my life. It’s a common thread.'

Karin Kienhuis, elite athlete and regional director Alfa College

'I’ve always made my best decisions on impulse'.

'I’ve always made my best decisions on impulse'.

Izaline Calister, singer, songwriter, and band leader

'Sexism isn’t just defined by men, but also by women'

'Sexism isn’t just defined by men, but also by women'

Bénédicte Ficq, criminal lawyer

'The women in my family are my example'

'The women in my family are my example'

Cisca Wijmenga, Rector magnificus UG

‘As a woman scientist, I am fighting against prejudices’

‘As a woman scientist, I am fighting against prejudices’

Hinke Osinga, Professor of Applied Mathematics, University of Auckland

‘I am leaving the consultation room, but staying at the barricades.’

‘I am leaving the consultation room, but staying at the barricades.’

Angela Maas, Professor of Cardiology for Women at the Radboud UMC

‘If you have a bad feeling about something, don’t ignore it.’

‘If you have a bad feeling about something, don’t ignore it.’

Ymkje Clevering, top athlete, Olympic Medal winner and European champion rowing

‘I take care of the business and my sister takes care of the successors!’

‘I take care of the business and my sister takes care of the successors!’

Marlies van Wijhe, CEO Koninklijke Van Wijhe Verf B.V.

‘I’ve never felt that anything has or has not happened because I’m a woman.’

‘I’ve never felt that anything has or has not happened because I’m a woman.’

Vanessa Ackah, journalist and presenter

‘I’ve never felt that I’ve been reckless.’

‘I’ve never felt that I’ve been reckless.’

Ana van Es, journalist

‘Such a thing could not have happened in Leiden or in Utrecht. It was possible only in Groningen, in the radical North.’

‘Such a thing could not have happened in Leiden or in Utrecht. It was possible only in Groningen, in the radical North.’

Aletta Jacobs, first female student, first female physician, feminist

‘Throughout my career, I’ve often been the first or only woman’

‘Throughout my career, I’ve often been the first or only woman’

Winnie Sorgdrager, Minister of State, former minister, civil servant

‘Without the law degree programme, I would not have become a Children’s Ombudsperson.’

‘Without the law degree programme, I would not have become a Children’s Ombudsperson.’

Margrite Kalverboer, Children's Ombudsperson and professor

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