Women of Schiedam*
*750 years of labour, strife and connections
22 March - 14 September 2025
Stedelijk Museum Schiedam is celebrating 750 years of the power of women in the city with the exhibition Women of Schiedam. The story begins 750 years ago with Aleida van Holland, a powerful figure in a male-dominated world, who granted Schiedam its city rights. This marks the start of a rich history where women have shaped and sustained the city. From Neeltje Andries, a pioneering businesswoman in the 16th century, to the inspiring women of today leading initiatives like Kledingbank (a clothing bank) and the Inclusia Foundation, the women of Schiedam remain essential to the city’s vitality and success. This exhibition finally gives their stories the stage they deserve, shining a light on women from Schiedam’s past and present.
Portrait of Neeltje Andries, illustration: Xaviera Altena
A dive into the hidden history of women
Women of Schiedam brings to life the invisible history of women in the city. The first part of the exhibition explores the past, revealing the essential roles women have played in Schiedam’s history over the centuries. Through personal objects, works of art, and a striking metre-long mural, the stories of 12 women – carefully selected by city history curator Merel van der Vaart – come to life.
Visitors will meet figures like Neeltje Andries, who co-ran a timber merchant business with her husband and, alongside Marytje Arendsdochter, defended herself against accusations of witchcraft. The exhibition also sheds light on the experiences of 19th-century domestic servants forced to work from a young age, as well as upper-class women who devoted themselves to caring for the poor. The exhibition also highlights the Turkish women who came to Schiedam as partners of migrant workers, and the caravan dwellers who, in the 1980s, fought to preserve their homes. Together, these stories showcase the resilience, resistance and determination of women throughout history as they fought to secure their rights and establish their place in society.
Johan Alexander (Jan) Dingman, Maid in front of the Mirror, ca. 1890-1910
“We really had to dig deep into the archives to find information about women’s everyday lives. But what we found was so surprising that it made the search more than worthwhile. For example, we discovered that in the first half of the 19th century, women accounted for 47% of all adults working in arduous occupations. So the idea that women didn’t work is a myth.”
– Merel van der Vaart, city history curator
Yael Bartana, Patriarchy is History, 2019, photo: Tom Haartsen
The women of Schiedam today
The second part of the Women of Schiedam exhibition pays tribute to the women who are shaping Schiedam today. Who are the warriors of 2025, the mothers of the neighbourhoods and the women who ‘get a lot of shit done’ behind the scenes? What parallels do they see with the women of the past, and what roles do they play in Schiedam today?
These questions were put to a diverse group of ten women from Schiedam. “Every single one of them is committed to the city and its inhabitants in her own way,” explains city programmer Dorien Theuns. Through a series of meetings, they engaged with one another, revealing not only their determination and purpose within the city but also four distinct roles that define the ‘modern Schiedam woman’. Their missions, personal stories and these roles now take centre stage in the museum’s Stadsgalerij.
The ten involved women from Schiedam, from left to right: Annerike van de Water, Aida Kasaei, Manuela Jongeneel, Zeliha Cimtay, Georgette Plomp, Kim Zwart, Jessie Pley, Bibi Shandoe, Janine van de Linde, Souad Achour, photo: Aad Hoogendoorn
“Each of the women was deeply impressed by the strength and mission of the other participants,” says Theuns. “This speaks to the diversity of their stories, but also to their humility and the significance of such encounters. Through this exhibition, we hope to bring many more women together.” As Jessie Pley, one of the participants, aptly puts it: “To be able to make a wave.”
“Dare to dream, pursue the impossible and bring innovation to society by thinking differently. Schiedam deserves women who challenge limits and push boundaries, paving the way for a stronger, more inclusive future.”
– Zeliha Cimtay, one of the participants
Xaviera Altena brings women’s stories to life through powerful illustrations
For this exhibition, the museum has partnered with Rotterdam-based illustrator Xaviera Altena, celebrated for her vibrant and expressive style. Through narrative illustrations and striking portraits, Altena captures the essence of the women of Schiedam, sparking conversation and reflection. Her portfolio includes collaborations with Oxfam Novib, The New Yorker and Paradiso, among others.
Xaviera Altena
Calling all women of Schiedam: join us and be part of the exhibition!
Starting from the opening on 22 March, the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam invites all women in the city to collaborate on three textile artworks that will be added to the exhibition one by one. During eight free(!) walk-in ateliers, we will transform Xaviera Altena’s illustrations into textile pieces. The Schiedam-based studio Atelier Aida, owned by artist and fashion designer Aida Kasaei, will be leading the sessions. No experience is needed: this is all about coming together and continuing the conversation. The exact dates will be announced shortly, so keep an eye on this page!
Portrait of Aida Kasaei (founder Atelier Aida), illustration by Xaviera Altena
Schiedam Celebrates 750 Years
This exhibition is an initiative that is part of Schiedam Celebrates 750 Years, a celebration of the city receiving city rights 750 years ago – all thanks to a woman. The year 2025 will also mark 50 years since the United Nations declared International Women’s Year (1975). All over the world, this is a time to devote special attention to women’s rights and women’s history. The Women of Schiedam exhibition was made possible thanks to financial support from the Schiedam Celebrates 750 Years organisation.