Aletta Jacobs (1854-1929) was the first woman doctor in the Netherlands. She spent her life caring for women - as a doctor, and as a political activist.
Aletta Jacobs (1854-1929) was the first woman doctor in the Netherlands. She spent her life caring for women - as a doctor, and as a political activist.
This month, we’re highlighting Women of Resistance. Whether fighting tyranny, oppression, sexism, racism, reproductive control, or any number of other ills, these women created paths for change.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Liz Smith, Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Ale Tejeda, Sara Schleede, and Alex Jhamb Burns. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.
Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.
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Hello! From Wonder Media Network, I’m Jenny Kaplan and this is Womanica.
This month on Womanica, we’re highlighting women who led extraordinary lives of resistance. Whether fighting tyranny, oppression, sexism, racism, or reproductive control these women created paths for change.
Today, we’re talking about the first woman doctor in the Netherlands. She spent her life caring for women - as a doctor, and as a political activist.
Let’s talk about Aletta Jacobs.
Aletta Jacobs was born on February 9, 1854 in a small town in the Netherlands. Her father was a doctor. Growing up, Aletta would sometimes tag along on his patient visits. Aletta knew she wanted to be a doctor like her father. But at the time, it was unheard of for a woman to obtain any sort of advanced degree.
Aletta didn’t let that hold her back. In 1870, she got a job as an assistant chemist. That same year, she wrote a letter to the prime minister of the Netherlands asking for permission to enroll in medical school. He wrote back - to her father - granting her permission.
So in 1871, Aletta became the first woman to attend the University of Groningen. Her fight for an education was more than a personal win – her acceptance opened the door for other women students, too.
Eight years later, she graduated and became the first female physician in the Netherlands.
Aletta’s popularity as a doctor grew quickly. Women began clamoring for her medical services. So she set up her own practice in Amsterdam.
Aletta transformed women’s health in the Netherlands. She introduced many of her patients to early forms of contraception, like the diaphragm. In 1882, she opened the first birth control clinic in Amsterdam.
She wrote medical books with detailed illustrations and descriptions of the female body. And she ran a free clinic serving low-income women twice a week.
As Aletta treated her patients, she also learned about the injustices they were facing in other parts of their lives.
Some women Aletta treated had employers who forced them to work long days on their feet, with no breaks.
So Aletta took action. She campaigned for employers to add places for their female workers to sit and rest. In 1883, she requested the right to vote from the city council of Amsterdam. The council denied her request. Later, they added an amendment to the constitution which explicitly gave only men the right to vote.
True to form, Aletta didn’t let the setback deter her. She kept fighting, by practicing medicine and pushing for political change. In 1903, she became the president of the Association for Women’s Suffrage in the Netherlands. She traveled all around the world, learning from women activists and building an international coalition of women fighting for their rights.
In 1919, Dutch women won the right to vote - 36 years after Aletta had been barred from doing so. That same year, she stepped down as the president of the Association for Women’s Suffrage. Still, she kept writing and advocating for women’s rights.
Aletta died on August 10, 1929. Her work promoting contraception and advocating women’s suffrage was foundational for women’s rights activists around the world.
All month, we’re highlighting resisters. For more information, find us on Facebook ad Instagram @womanicapodcast.
Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator.
Talk to you tomorrow!