Ode to Karin Adelmund | A big mouth and a warm heart

This text was translated using AI and may contain errors. If you have suggestions or comments, please contact us at info.ode@amsterdammuseum.nl.

Dear Mrs. Adelmund, dear Karin,

Long ago we bumped into each other, while cycling down Amsterdam's busy Ferdinand Bolstraat. We nodded and laughed, then quickly cycled on. You were busy with politics and your young family. Years later I heard of your unexpected death and for a moment the world was silent with shock and sorrow.... As Amsterdam celebrates its 750th anniversary in 2025, I would like to pay you an Ode, even though you are no longer with us.

You were born in 1949 into a family in Rotterdam; you were not well off. You went to secondary school and worked as a counter clerk at the PTT. Fortunately your then head of personnel saw that you had more to offer and in 1968 you went to study at the Public Social Academy in Rotterdam. You had a taste for it and then studied Social Sciences at the University of Amsterdam until 1979.

Van 1978 tot 1985 was je voorzitter van de Vrouwenbond FNV. Waren vrouwen voorheen vaak goed voor het serveren van de koffie met koek, jij wist echter al snel voor de Vrouwenbond het stemrecht in de Federatieraad af te dwingen. Daarna was je lid van het Federatiebestuur van de FNV, onder meer als vicevoorzitter. Je luisterde naar de vakbondsleden, benoemde de problemen op de werkvloer en initieerde acties en massademonstraties, waaronder tegen de ingrepen in de WAO. Ik herinner me jouw bevlogenheid, je strijdbaarheid en betrokkenheid, als vakbondsvrouw op de barricaden. Je droeg solidariteit in de praktijk uit.

In the 1994 elections, you were elected to parliament and became a member of the party leadership of the PvdA and vice chairman of the parliamentary group. You were spokesperson for social affairs on behalf of your group and spoke widely in the country. You recognized abuses from your own experience, were motivated and fought for betterment. You were not ashamed to show your emotions about injustice and wrongs. How would you have positioned yourself now in today's politics? In 1998 you became State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science in the second Cabinet of Wim Kok. You worked to reduce group sizes in junior elementary school and provided relief for the 2nd phase HAVO/VWO. You were also committed to improving educational opportunities for immigrant students.

After the loss of the PvdA in the Lower House elections, you returned to the House of Representatives. You were involved in the Big Cities Policy and Integration.You were also chairman of the General Commission on Integration Policy. You worked hard, because you also had a partner and two children. In 2005, you died suddenly in Amsterdam of cardiac arrest. Your big heart, with which you worked with so much enthusiasm, love and talent, could no longer continue. Time stood still for a moment.

You were buried at Amsterdam's Nieuwe Ooster Cemetery. I would like to write to you and your loved ones that your grave is regularly visited. Around May 1, Labor Day, Mariëtte Wijne often gives a walk along “red” graves. Mariëtte then walks with a large group of interested people along the graves of leftist politicians, agitators and resistance fighters. 
The family of Klaas Ris laid red roses on his grave in 2022, we saw the grave of Albert Hahn and of course we arrived at your grave. From above, I see a large flat flower, on which everyone is invited to come and sit for a moment and in the middle is a large rose. Of course the rose! It will give you pleasure, that not only the walkers then rested there for a moment, but also at other times your grave is used as a resting place. Furthermore, I want to write to you, that next to your grave a Handkerchief Tree has been planted, which in spring, especially in May, is adorned with white flowers, just like real handkerchiefs. Unfortunately, hardly enough to dry all the tears for your early death.

Thank you Karin, a born Rotterdammer of 'deeds not words'. But also an Amsterdammer with a big mouth and a warm heart. In our memory you will remain and you are worth an Ode, a thanksgiving of Amsterdam the full 100%.

With love and warm greetings,

Carin te Hoonte