The Frisian city of Heerenveen has come up with its own way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Dutch women having the right to vote: changing their name to Vrouwenveen for a day.
Translation by Traci White
The Leeuwarder Courant reports that the city plans to change its name for one day next year as a way to raise awareness for diversity in politics. The name change is set to happen on 8 March, which is International Women’s Day. Laws granting Dutch women the right to vote came into effect on 28 September 1919, and next year will mark the centenary of that legal change.
Women are well represented in the current municipal council in Heerenveen: there are 16 men and 15 women. The motion for the city to go by Vrouwenveen for a day was submitted by the D66 faction and received enough votes to pass. The municipality is reportedly going to look into the possible consequences of the 24 hour name change.
Photo source: Michiel Verbeek/Wikipedia
