Space for Women: The story of four women who fought for their place in academia

It is 2 September 1919. The University of Groningen awards an honorary doctorate. For the first time, the recipient is a woman: Jantina Tammes (1871–1947). With this distinction, Tammes would become the first female professor at the University of Groningen and the second in the country.

Four women

Four women: Jantina Tammes, Wilhelmina Bladergroen, Marie Elise Loke, and Elisabeth Neurdenburg. Names that students and staff at the University of Groningen will recognize.

But who were these women? And why are they in the spotlight now?

In this exhibition, located on the UB's third floor, the stories of these four women are told: their lives, their expertise and why they deserve recognition today.

Made by students

This exhibition was made by UG students Jojanneke Visscher and Madelief Huinink, under supervision of UB collection specialists Martien Stege and David Veltman. Jojanneke Visscher shared her experience of creating the exhibition on the Special Collections blog:

'The group of women featured in the UB have now become familiar role models for us, rather than vague names on the boards at the entrances to the lecture halls in the UB. As someone involved in the exhibition, my heart will now beat a little faster when I walk past the Marie Loke Room, read a text by Neurdenburg, hear about a new professor in the Tammes Chair, or come across an anecdote from a former student of Bladergroen.'

Elisabeth Neurdenburg

The University Museum currently features a special exhibition about the pioneering female professor Elisabeth Neurdenburg (1882-1957). Since no academic portrait of Neurdenburg exists, a competition was launched, inviting artists to submit proposals for creating her portrait. The winning artwork will be unveiled at the University Museum later this year.