Vrouwen uit het verzet, War memorial sculpture in Heerhugowaard, Netherlands
Vrouwen uit het verzet is a bronze sculpture of a standing female figure wearing a dress made from a deportation train door and corrugated cardboard representing camp clothing. The garment blends actual historical materials with symbolic form to embody the experiences of those who endured persecution.
The sculpture was unveiled on December 12, 1999, to honor women who took part in Dutch resistance during World War II and died in concentration camps. It marks the memory of their struggle against oppression during German occupation.
Resistance newspaper names are carved into the figure's dress, marking how information was shared during occupation. The base holds a poem that speaks to those who resisted under oppression.
The memorial is located in the Oosttangent-Aletta Jacobstuin area, where nearby streets carry the names of resistance women like Reina Prinsen-Geerligs and Rachel Neter-Montanhes. The surrounding neighborhood offers orientation through these street names and creates meaningful context for a visit.
Every May 4th, local students gather at this memorial for two minutes of silence, a tradition started by camp survivor Stien Spier. This yearly gathering has grown into an important learning program that connects generations to the story of resistance.
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