12-09-2015,
Francien de Zeeuw died at the age of 93 in her hometown Midden Beemster (Noord Holland)
She was the first woman to enlist in the Dutch army after world war 2 ended.
In the war she worked as a phone operator, during her work she could overhear many conversations between security forces and German soldiers.
Therefore she was able to save many people from being arrested.
She also smuggled weapons and supplies for the resistance.
When the war came to an end some women found there was a need for them to volunteer in the army.
However Her majesty Wilhelmina saw no need for that.
Francien together with 12 others wrote a letter to the queen trying to convince her.
Finally at 31/10/ 1944 the queen signed a law so women could now join the armed services.
At the navy the women (MARVA) did jobs in many supporting functions, they werent allow to fullfill combat duties.
Francien left for England to recieve her navy training there.
After the war she moved back to Holland.
In 1980 the MARVA was disbandoned because the new European laws forbade to make distinction in men and women jobs.
An autobiography of her live will appear at the end of 2016.
The secretary of defense met Francien twice and described her as a friendly, remarkable woman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKufbKVEC1I