Ode to Anja Meulenbelt | With pride, love and admiration

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Dear Anja,  

I clearly remember the first time I met you: it was during an event at Pakhuis de Zwijger in late 2022 or early 2023, just a few months after my book was published. We were both there as guest speakers, but due to the format of the program we didn't really get to interact with each other. At the time, I only knew about you what my friend Simone Peek said beforehand: that you were a feminist icon (she didn't elaborate, and I was too nervous before my talk to ask about it).  

When the event was over, I saw you downstairs at the bar. You came up to me and told me you were reading my book, which I didn't expect. You were so nice and sweet to me. We talked a bit about refugees, feminism, politics and about Amsterdam. Before you left, you comforted me and assured me that I belong here. Oh Anja, I remember those beautiful and encouraging words so well. 

Last October we met again, this time at the Opzij Literature Prize. You were there as a judge and my book was part of the competition. By then I was already a little more familiar with your name, as part of BIJ1 and also because of your involvement in the Palestinian cause. When the ceremony was over, we had another moment to talk. I didn't win the prize, but your comforting words and just being there made me feel like a million bucks. Before we went our separate ways, I asked you to take a picture together.  

When my proud friend sent our photo to his mother, she immediately sent me a message. She wondered if I knew that the person with whom I just had my picture taken is a living icon, one of the pillars of the second feminist wave in the Netherlands and a woman she deeply admires. In the following days she told me all about the storm, The Beyond Shame written in the 1970s, and about your involvement with the Dolle Mina's. Thanks to her, I got to know yet another version of the lovely woman I had met.  

In recent months, your activism was as strong, challenging and relentless as ever. Since October 7, you have been at the forefront, raising your voice on behalf of the Palestinian people from day one. With your latest book, at rallies and at demonstrations. On behalf of humanity. I follow you with a constantly growing admiration. I must admit that sometimes that admiration is also accompanied by shame, because I wish I had a fraction of your courage, conviction and strength.  

Anja, all your life you have been famous (and infamous) for being a rebel. An emotional activist who risked much with what many saw or continue to see as extreme feminism, a fanatical “man-hater. With your first book (and subsequent publications), you courageously exposed yourself and in doing so, you awakened other women. Your writing, your activism and how congruent you are with your actions have inspired not only women and men of all ages, but also cis and trans people, people who were born here, and people who are new - like me. People many of whom may not feel welcome here, but who feel welcome with you.  

In your actions, you show us that each of us matters, regardless of origin, faith or the strength (or lack thereof) of our passport.  

With this letter, I want to honor you and the Dolle Mina's. You paved the road we are still fighting for 50 years later, so that we can walk it on our own terms.  

Anja Meulenbelt, with much pride, love and admiration.  

Alejandra Ortiz  Ortiz