PROVINCE OF UTRECHT – Utrecht University and audio collective Horens present an audio tour along six places in the city center of Utrecht with special stories about women. On International Women’s Day they want extra attention for the position of women and the inequality that still exists.
The audio tour passes by different places and the stories are diverse. From the first black female student to feminist music. The audio tour includes bookstore Savannah Bay.
The Witch’s Cellar
“We originated from the very first women’s bookstore in the Netherlands. It was located in a wharf cellar on the Oudegracht in Utrecht in 1975. It was called the Heksenkelder at the time, a really nice feminist name,” says owner Marischka Verbeek. “Now it is no longer a women’s bookshop for a long time, but it is a shop that specializes in gender, diversity and LGBTI.”
Savannah Bay bookstore joins audio tour for International Women’s Day
The most important thing at Savannah Bay is sharing stories that are underexposed. When the same kinds of stories are told about domestic violence or a coming out, nobody recognizes themselves if the situation doesn’t match one on one. That is why Marischka thinks it is important that as many different stories as possible are told.
Women Scientists
Program manager Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Brigitte Prieshof of Utrecht University has worked hard on the audio tour. “The number of female scientists, especially in senior positions, is moving in the right direction, but we’re not there yet,” she says. One third of the professors at Utrecht University are women. A few years ago, the percentage in science subjects was still 8 percent. That has now doubled, but according to Brigitte it can be even better. According to her, more attention should be paid to the recruitment of women. “I often hear that people are looking for them, but that they are difficult to find. But my experience is that it is possible.”
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One of the episodes of the audio tour takes place at the Academy Building of Utrecht University. The story of Nadia Comvalius, the first female student of color at the university, is told. In any case, the Academy Building is a special place for women’s emancipation. Johanna Westerdijk was the first Dutch woman to be appointed professor in 1917. Brigitte will remain committed to equality for all.
The other episodes can be heard at the Moreelsebrug, TivoliVredenburg, Janskerkhof and the University Library.