Full name:

Margaretha Albertina Maria "Marga" Klompé

Date and place of birth:

16 August 1912, Arnhem, Netherlands

Date and place of death:

28 October 1986 (aged 74), The Hague, Netherlands

Education:

• She went to Utrecht University in 1929, where she gained a master degree in 1937.
• Klompé was awarded a PhD in mathematics and physics in 1941.
• The following year, she started studying medicine. However, she couldn't finish her course due to the start of the Second World War.

Career:

• 1956: She was appointed Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health in the Netherlands, becoming the first female minister in Dutch history.
• Between 1932 and 1949: She taught chemistry and physics at the Master Dei Hight School for girls, Nijmegen.
• During the Second World War: Klompé joined the Dutch underground resistance, becoming a leader and building a large network of women volunteers.
• After the end of the war: Klompé entered politics, joining the Dutch House of Representatives in 1948. She also worked at the UN on human rights issues and helped with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• 1952: Klompé became the first female member of the European Coal and Steel Community's Common Assembly, the forerunner of today's European Parliament.
• 1956: Klompé became the Netherlands' first female minister.
• 1965: She introduced the General Assistance Act, establishing social protection as a right and shifting focus from charity to state support.
• From 1966 to 1971: Klompé introduced the Elderly Homes and Caravan Bills during her tenure as Minister of Culture, Recreation, and Social Work.
• 1971: She was named Minister of State.
• After retiring from politics: Klompé continued to advocate for social justice. She spoke out against apartheid in South Africa and chaired the Dutch National Commission for Justice and Peace. She also co-founded the Union of Catholic Female Graduates and the Catholic Women’s Volunteer Service, staying active in her faith and social causes.

Contribution to Europe:

• Advocating for European Institutions: As a dedicated pro-European, Klompé advocated for the establishment of European institutions designed to promote peace and prosperity throughout the continent.
• Supporting the EEC: She was a strong supporter of the European Economic Community (EEC) and championed policies aimed at enhancing European unity.
• Promoting European Unity: She took part of Altiero Spinelli's Crocodile Club and Movimento Federalista Europeo, consistently promoting the idea that European nations should work closely together to prevent conflict.

Vision for Europe:

• Klompé imagined a Europe where countries were united by shared values of peace, democracy, and cooperation. She emphasized the crucial role of education, culture, and social welfare in promoting cohesion among European nations.

Useful links:

• The official site of EU
• Her life - PDF document
• Wikipedia

Image References:

• Profile picture
• First image
• Second image
• Third image