12 Facts About Johanna Westerdijk

Johanna Westerdijk, called "Hans" by friends, was born on 4 January 1883 in Nieuwer-Amstel, a small village south of Amsterdam, and died on 15 November 1961 at 78 years old in Baarn, Netherlands.

Johanna Westerdijk mentioned to her teacher that she would make sure to earn enough money to have all her cleaning duties done for her.

Johanna Westerdijk completed her secondary school at 17 years old and graduated from the Amsterdam school of girls.

Johanna Westerdijk was a gifted pianist and intended to become a professional pianist but a persistent neuritis in one arm made this impossible.

Johanna Westerdijk wrote over 70 publications covering a broad spectrum of plant diseases and mycology, but her main interest was in pathogenic diseases of trees and physiological diseases of plants and how to control them.

Johanna Westerdijk was described by journalists as a young, natural, simple, and strong woman with a pleasant manner and a great sense of humor.

Johanna Westerdijk was known by her close friends as loving to party, drink and dance and without an interest in marriage.

Johanna Westerdijk had her own tradition at every new PhD ceremony, where a flag would be raised and three geese wearing white, red and blue bows around their necks would parade around the building.

All of the people who worked on their PhD in Baarn were inspired by the atmosphere and the influence of the laboratory's slogan "For fine minds, the art is to mix work and parties" which Johanna Westerdijk had carved in stone above the entrance to the room for practical work.

Johanna Westerdijk was active in the International Federation of University Women, now known as Graduate Women International.

Johanna Westerdijk was elected president of the organization in 1932.

In 1907 Johanna Westerdijk became director of the CBS.