11 Facts About Hedy d'Ancona

Hedwig d'Ancona was born in The Hague in the Netherlands on 1 October 1937.

Hedy d'Ancona applied at the University of Amsterdam in June 1956 majoring in Sociology and obtaining a Bachelor of Social Science degree in June 1958 before graduating with a Master of Social Science degree in July 1962.

Hedy d'Ancona worked as a television producer for the VARA from November 1962 until September 1965 and as a researcher at the University of Amsterdam from September 1965 until November 1972.

Hedy d'Ancona worked as a political activist in the feminism movement and co-founded the feminist action group Man Woman Society in October 1968.

Hedy d'Ancona worked as editor-in-chief of the feminist magazine Opzij from November 1972 until September 1981.

In June 1983 Hedy d'Ancona announced that she would not stand for the 1983 Senate election and continued to serve until the end of the parliamentary term on 13 September 1983.

Hedy d'Ancona Rooy was elected as a Member of the European Parliament in the 1984 European Parliament election, taking office on 24 July 1984.

On 16 July 1994 Hedy d'Ancona resigned as Minister of Welfare, Health and Culture after she was elected again to the European Parliament, serving from 19 July 1994 until 20 July 1999.

Hedy d'Ancona received enough preference votes to be elected, but she declined her seat.

From April 1995 through June 2004, Hedy d'Ancona was Chairwoman of Oxfam Novib, serving as vice-chairman of Oxfam International during part of her tenure.

In 1992, Hedy d'Ancona was awarded the Harriet Freezerring, a women's liberation prize, by the monthly Opzij she started.