Gendering the Nation Online Museum Exhibit
Created by the class of HIST 465 (Topics in Women's History) 2015-16
Queens University, Canada
Oude Vrouw, Jonge Vrouw: An Oral History of Dutch Women during the Second World War
"It was the women that held it together. They did everything while the men were away or were hiding. The Omas especially. They passed on their knowledge to their daughters and grand daughters and everyone just pitched in. People had their jobs, but the women worked hard. I had to peel the potatoes every night, but my favourite part was seeing my Oma. Sometimes she let me stay for dinner, even if my mother called me. I was close to my Oma because we had the same name."
-Oral History of Johanna Cornelia
Johanna Cornelia with Grandparents in Vijfhuizen, North Holland, c. 1939 (Personal Photo)
Prior to the Second World War, family ties in the Netherlands were very strong, especially for rural citizens. Grandchildren often grew up under the watchful eye of their “namesake” ancestors – tradition dictated who children were named after, based on their birth order. This image depicts a young Johanna Cornelia with her paternal grandparents, including her namesake grandmother. In the Netherlands, grandmothers are called “Oma”. In rural regions in particular, an Oma often had a very close relationship to her grandchildren, acting as the family’s matriarch. It was common for young women to learn basic gendered skills from their Oma. As Johanna recalls: “I knew everything because of my Oma. When I was very young she showed me how to knit and sew. I helped her in the kitchen, and even fed the animals.”
The Netherlands was occupied by the Nazis for nearly four years during the Second World War. The country was ravaged by the occupation – tens of thousands of Jews were carted off to concentration camps, Dutch men were forced into the German army, and citizens starved during one of worst periods in the country’s history. Following the War, there were countless stories about the outward resistance. There were tales of men who defied the Nazi regime, women who refused to bow to occupiers, and children who grew up proudly Dutch. Missing from these stories were the everyday struggles of families, particularly those in rural regions. Women were sometimes the only people left in desolate villages, required to look after children, homes, and farms. The everyday resourcefulness of these women is often forgotten in the face of brave fights against the enemy. Many women kept their families alive and thriving thanks to networks of women in their families and communities. Old traditions maintained the strength of these networks, even in the face of conflict. Young women were tutored by old women, and traditions were passed down to a new generation of proud Dutch citizens. For many, the War was a signal to move on and find a better future for their families. Numerous Dutch women were proud to immigrate following the conflict in search of new promises for their children. International moves severed generational connections, particularly the women’s networks that were so important in the old country.
Women's Networks
Women in the Netherlands were often tied together through extended family networks or connections in their local towns and villages. During the Second World War, these networks were critical for women’s survival. Intricate family webs often extended throughout the country and women kept in contact with their relations. Johanna remembers: “We would always travel by bike to see our family. Sometimes it was me and my dad, we did that a lot. Sometimes I went with my sister or brothers, when I got older. We would go on the bike, sometimes two or three of us to see our family.” Many women relied on one another to share food or supplies. Other women gathered to share gossip or insights about the occupation. Some women even spread information about the resisters, updating wives on their husbands or the location of Allied forces. Women were unified by their Dutch nationality, but were especially devoted to their local towns or families. The Queen and her family were sources of inspiration for many Dutch women before the War, and remained a source of pride during the conflict. After the conflict, Dutch women were quick to mention their own devotion to the Netherlands and shame other women that formed friendships with the Nazis. Dutch women who turned to Nazis for support, even for simply feeding their families, were publically shunned from post war society. Remaining loyal to the Dutch nation was a role for every Dutch woman during the War, even if it meant suffering.
Johanna Cornelia (infant) with Mother and Aunt, Vijfhuizen, c. 1938 (Personal Photo).
Prior to the Second World War, women in the Netherlands were primarily responsible for domestic duties. They were required to take care of children, cook daily meals, sew/knit household items, and keep a tidy home. Women in rural regions were often responsible for keeping gardens, taking care of animals, and travelling to nearby towns or villages to sell or buy produce. At the start of the Second World War, responsibilities doubled as many men were initially enlisted. Following the German occupation, most men disappeared altogether from rural life, either drawn into armies or forced into hiding. The network between women, especially family members, was critical to a family’s survival during the War.
Memorabilia Plate for Queen Wilhelmina, 1938 (Item produced in the Netherlands)
Women were often encouraged to find strength through each other. At the beginning of the Second World War, Queen Wilhelmina was a symbolic demonstration of hope of fortitude. As the Nazis occupied the Netherlands, the Royal Family was forced to flee. Nonetheless, for many Dutch women, the Queen remained an important national figure. She represented the old Netherlands, before the Nazi invasion, and was considered a symbol of promise. Johanna remembered listening to the Queen speak after the liberation in 1945: “I was coming home from school and my mom had the radio out. She said ‘the War is over’. I remember how happy we all were, and our Queen could come home.” For many Dutch families, a small item (such as a plate, silver spoon, or picture) of the Queen was a symbol of defiance against the Nazi invaders.
Photo of “Van den Bosch” Home in Vijfhuizen, c. 1970s (constructed in early 20th century)
Land in the Netherlands was expensive, and it was common for extended families to live in the same village and often in the same house. A wooden door was all that separate Johanna’s family from her aunt and uncle next door. When the War ended, there were nearly a dozen children between the two families. With such close family connections, there were bound to be conflicts. However, it also helped the families stay together during the War. Johanna recalls: “Without everyone together I don’t know if we would have made it. We all helped each other.” Close family quarters also helped women resist the Nazi occupation. Johanna remembers: “The Nazis would come to the door looking for the men or help or whatever. I would answer the door with all of the children of both houses and we would pretend we were just one family. I didn’t know, of course, that my Oma was secretly feeding some of the village men in the hay loft. They were hiding there. We all had secrets during the War."
Women Adapt
"Imagine all of us, two families with so many children, all in one house. One time our father had to nail the door shut to stop my mother and aunt from fighting. It wasn't always peaceful with the women."
-Oral History of Johanna Cornelia
As the primary caregivers, women in the Netherlands were required to conserve materials during considerable shortages during the Second World War. A lack of fuel, particularly during the damp winters, were a problem for most Dutch families. Scarce food was another problem many women dealt with – in trying to feed their families, many women were forced to cook nearly anything. Other women were dealing with the high rate of disease during the conflict. Johanna remembered being sick with the measles: “It was horrible during the war. You couldn’t get anyone to come and help. I have permanent scars from the measles because they didn’t heal it properly. If you got sick, you just prayed. We were lucky that none of the kids died during the War.” Women often relied on their own resourcefulness to keep the family alive. Whether it was making their own clothes, foraging for leftover scraps in the street, cooking tulip bulbs, or recycling, Dutch women did their patriotic duty by caring for their families. Many women were reminded of their special roles over the radio, as covert messages were sent from the Royal family hiding in Britain and Canada. Women listened to these broadcasts and shared information with each other, ideas about how to best conserve for the war effort. Survival was a form of defiance to the occupiers. Johanna recalls: “We lived, and that is what mattered. My Oma, my mother, my aunt, they all helped us live. The Germans were gone and we were still alive. We were still Dutch.”
"We had to conserve everything. It was very tough. We were lucky, living on the farm we had enough to eat but there wasn't more. We shared with our village sometimes but some people were eating tulip bulbs by the end. It was bad for many families, especially when the men were gone. Our mothers and Omas worked hard for us, and the women helped each other. Some women, like my Oma, helped the men who were hiding from the Nazis. The women kept them safe but no one thanked them. We were all happy when they liberated us though. We thought they were Americans, but they were from Canada."
-Oral history of Johanna Cornelia
Photo of Wooden Shoes, early 20th century
By the early 20th century, wooden shoes were no longer daily footwear for most Dutch people. However, rural men and women still used the shoes when working in fields. During the War, wooden shoes were even more popular for rural people – not only did they guard against the constant moisture of the Netherlands, but they also lasted longer than other shoes. Many rural Dutch women pulled out old family wooden shoes to conserve other scarce materials. Johanna remembers: “I didn’t wear my wooden shoes every day, but we did need them on the farm. When I outgrew mine, my younger sister or brothers would take them. We handed them down because wooden shoes are good for a long time. We didn’t waste anything. We couldn’t, it was the War.”
Photo of Tulip Bulbs
By the end of the Nazi occupation, the situation for many Dutch families was dire. Very few families had fuel, many were sick with disease, and most had limited food. Some rural families were able to survive, but others resorted to desperate measures. Many tulip farmers dug up their crop of blubs to eat during the long winter. Most families had to share resources. With many of the men gone or in hiding, women were usually the only providers. Johanna recalls: “Near the end of the War my dad was missing. No one knew where he was. Other men were hiding and weren’t any help. There was only women left. We always had enough to eat, but it wasn’t much. When I got sick it was very bad, even though my mom and Oma tried to help. It was difficult to get to the hospital and there was no doctor around. I almost didn’t make it.”
Photograph of Johanna Cornelia, Sister and Cousin, Vijfhuizen, c. 1944 (Personal Photo)
Women’s resourcefulness was necessary for a family’s survival. Women were often required to use whatever supplies they had to feed and clothe their families. In this image, Johanna and other young women in her family are showing off their new knitted clothes. With many children and little money or materials, the women of Johanna’s family often made all of their clothing. Johanna remembers: “The clothes were all hand made, everyone. And when you were too big, the next child had the clothes. When there was a hole, it was sewn.” Making clothing was an important skill passed between women in the Netherlands. When she finished primary school, Johanna was selected to attend a “sewing school” in the city (Haarlem). “One of our assignments was to make pajamas for our family. Well, I had such a big family but I wanted to do it. I measured all the boys and my sister and cut the patterns. I sewed it all myself. I was so proud.”
Commemorative Plate of Liberation (September 1944), c. 1945.
The Netherlands was gradually liberated from Nazi rule. Parts of the country were free before the horrible winter of 1945, while others endured near abandonment from Nazi services. The country was liberated by a combination of allied forces. Known for producing stunning painted blue plates, the country eagerly commemorated their liberators following the War. Many Dutch women were proud to own one of these liberation plates and they were often hung prominently in kitchens. The liberation inspired many women to dream of a different world. Thousands of Dutch families immigrated to Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada in the decade following the Second World War.
Women Move
After the devastation of the Second World War, many women wanted better futures for their families. Allied soldiers had flooded the Netherlands, bringing food and fuel and much needed happiness for Dutch citizens. Many Dutch families instantly had a positive view of the Allied countries. Johanna remembers: “When they came we were so excited. I went to them right away and got food for the family. They would ask how many children and I would hold up my fingers. When I brought the first load home, I went for another one. It was so good to have food from them.” Shortly after the liberators left, Allied countries filled the Netherlands with immigration opportunities. Many women were excited for new prospects and urged their husbands to apply for land. Johanna’s family decided they would sell their land to immigrate to Canada, a place that seemed filled with dreams. Johanna remembers that her and her mother were especially excited about moving: “We wanted a new adventure. After the War was so bad, we wanted to go and start again. Holland wasn’t the same, but Canada was better. Or we thought it would be.” Women prepared their families for the move, often preparing items from the old country and planning their new household. For many Dutch women, immigration was much more difficult than the propaganda promoted. New immigrants faced severe alienation, indentured servitude on sponsored farms, language barriers, and little access to education or healthcare.
Travel Trunk from the Netherlands, early 20th century
As preparations were made for leaving the old country, women were often required to pack for their family. Most passengers were permitted a single trunk where entire families had to transport their lives. These trunks held the old world, and for many women all that remained of their household. Johanna remembers: “My mom packed our trunk. There were new clothes for each of us. I remember I had a new dress, but by the time we got the trunk, I had grown out of it. I was very disappointed, my sister got two new dresses and me none. In the trunk she put our good tablecloth and kitchen things. A few photos. That was all. There was no room for more. She left almost everything back in Holland. Our trunk went first and we only had what we carried. When our trunk was sent to the wrong place, we were left with nothing for months. And my mom was so worried about it.”
The Final Photo on Dutch Soil (Johanna Cornelia and Family), c. 1951
After months of preparation, the day of departure was often bittersweet for many Dutch women. They believed they were going to a better place, but they were also leaving behind extended families and networks of other women. The generational bond between women was severed, and many faced the new world completely on their own. Johanna, aged 13 at the time of her immigration, remembers: “I was so scared in Canada. I barely knew English but none of my family did – I had to translate and I couldn’t understand. My mom was so depressed for so long. I’m not sure she was ever happy again, it was so hard on her. While she was depressed I had to start working right away. I had to take a job at the hospital and come home to take care of the kids every night. She was sad, but I just worked hard. I was mad at her for a long time, she wasn't being a mother. I missed Holland, but I didn’t have time to think about it.”
"Coming to Canada was very hard. That was the last time I saw my Oma. She died before I came back to Holland. We were very close of course, and I didn't know how much I would miss her and that I would never see her again. Imagine. Canada was difficult and we didn't have much. Life in Canada was harder than the war sometimes. We had some friends through the church, but my mother had no family. The community of women was gone. But we knew there were more chances for our family in Canada. We came for our future daughters so they could build a better life. I'm happy for that. We suffered, but my grand daughters have better lives than I did. They have educations and a chance I never had."
-Oral History from Johanna Cornelia