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Strijdbare Vrouwen in Amsterdam West  

The City in Her Hands

For centuries, women in Amsterdam West have moved mountains: they cook for neighbours-in-need or create safe spaces for younger generations, dedicating themselves tirelessly to build a strong foundation for their community. Even taking the lead in union strikes, standing up against inequality, or the lack of open communal spaces isn't unusual for the women of West. The contributions of women are vital to the story of the city, yet they often remain unseen.

This exhibition is a tribute to these courageous and committed women. Together with the Amsterdam City Archives and Foam Photography Museum Amsterdam, the district of Amsterdam West is working to change that. For this exhibition, the City Archives issued an open call for materials to be submitted. In turn, these submission will become part of the Archives, ensuring that these stories are preserved and passed on to future generations.

Alongside the collected material photographer Hanane El Ouardani created a series of portraits that capture the strength, determination, and quiet power of these women.

Vanessa Wattimena, 2025 © Hanane el Ouardani
Bijscholing © Frans Busselman, Stadsarchief Amsterdam
Anita Groenink, 2025 © Hanane el Ouardani

About the exhibition

This exhibition aims to work towards a fairer and more complete picture of Amsterdam. Tangible traces of contributions by women, including personal memories, photographs, and documents, come together with El Ouardani’s portraits to form a new chapter in the story of the city, with a selection of these material is on view in this exhibition.

While Amsterdam West is constantly changing, the dedication of these women remains a constant. This exhibition is to honor these women, because they are an inextricable part of Amsterdam's story.

Mbarka N’bir, 2025 © Hanane el Ouardani

For more information or press requests, please contact our press office at pressoffice@foam.org.

This exhibition was initiated through an open call by the district of Amsterdam West, in collaboration with the Amsterdam City Archives, and curated by Foam Photography Museum Amsterdam.


A woman holds a sign reading "Wij Willen Werk" in Dutch, meaning "We Want Work," during a protest.

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Strijdbare Vrouwen in Amsterdam West  

The City in Her Hands