Ode to Liesbeth den Uyl-van Vessem | Grand, activist woman alongside inspired politician of integrity

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Dear Mrs den Uyl-van Vessem, dear Liesbeth,

Unfortunately we never met, but your significance for Amsterdam is very clear to me. Like your husband Joop, I grew up in a Reformed/ArP nest and when the den Uyl cabinet was formed in 1973, as an adolescent I knew all the ministers by heart. In December 1987, I received your twenty-five diary entries as a gift. The title: ‘I am mad, but not well.’ I remain intrigued by this title and by your postscript: ‘What to do with them? I have no idea. Read them or put this little book away. As good friends, or not,’ was signed Liesbeth den Uyl. I would like to posthumously bring you an Ode, a token of appreciation, as Amsterdam celebrates its 750th anniversary. In the current Dutch political situation, which is unimaginable to me, I often think back to what you and your husband would think of this. Perhaps it's a good thing you didn't have to live through this.

You were born on 18 June 1924 in Amsterdam, growing up on Mariotteplein in Watergraafsmeer as the eldest of two daughters in a liberal-protestant Amsterdam family.

After primary school, you attended the 3rd Five-year HBS at Mauritskade. It is written that you were a headstrong student, to your great credit! At 15, you renounced your faith and obtained your HBS-B diploma with flying colours. You wanted to study psychology, but when the German occupiers required prospective scholarship students to sign a declaration of loyalty, you refused to do so and abandoned any further study plans. You did a quick course in shorthand and typing and started working at the Querido publishing house, during this period you met Joop den Uyl. You became a courier; Joop wrote in the illegal magazine De nieuwe vrijheid. During this time, Joop developed a love for Mokum that never died out. You skipped part of your young adult free life, marrying Joop on 30 August 1944. Between 1946 and 1965, you had four daughters and three sons. After the war, you resumed your studies in psychology, however, after the birth of your 2nd child, you quit for good. 

Besides being the husband of a well-known politician and the mother of a large family, you were involved in VARA and the PvdA. You were also a member of the board of the Red Women in the PvdA, chairman of Steun Aan Argentijnse Moeders (Support To Argentine Mothers) and chairman of the Buitenveldert district council, where you had found a house with Joop and your family. I remember you as being very involved with the ‘Foolish Mothers’, who campaigned in Argentina for their missing children. How I miss you in today's politics! You probably would have stood up immediately for the suffering of women, children and the elderly in Ukraine and Gaza. You never minced words, were critical and spoke directly to the point. I guess vanity was foreign to you. 

Your husband Joop was prime minister from 1973 to 1977, a left-wing progressive. I can still see your husband walking with his head bowed in worry at the time of Bernard's Lockheed affair. In my opinion, today's politicians should take an example from Joop's integrity. Never keeping up appearances, however, values and standards. Your husband certainly maintained his heavy positions because you and your family were behind him and you were able to lead a fairly ordinary life, with little security. You were involved in many cultural, social and political events.

You wrote a lot, in short story collections and in the Opzij, Vrij Nederland and Parool. Re-reading these publications is well worth it, as a beacon in troubled times. Unfortunately, soon after the death of your beloved husband, you also passed away, but your activism, sincerity and your publications live on! Too bad Joop never got the chance to become mayor of Amsterdam. You would have made an excellent mayor. Many thanks for your exemplary role, also on behalf of countless women without a voice or pen!

Kind regards,

Carin te Hoonte