Article
This event was held on September 30, 2021. To watch the livestream, click here.
Background
Intersectional feminism in the Netherlands has deep roots, dating back to the 1980s when women from diverse backgrounds united in the Black, Migrant, and Refugee Women’s Movement. Joan Ferrier (1953-2014) was a pioneering figure in this movement, dedicating her life to the emancipation of Black women and Women of Color. Ferrier worked with organizations like E-Quality, the United Nations, and Stichting Slavernijverleden, advocating for the integration of intersectional thinking into Dutch institutions and policies. Her legacy continues to inspire today’s anti-racist women’s movement.
Approach & Methodology
As part of her Action Project, Fellow Tamara Hartman (2020 John Lewis Fellowship) organized an event on September 30, 2021, to honor Joan Ferrier’s life and contributions to the Black, Migrant, and Refugee Women’s Movement. The event included a talk by Gloria Wekker, Emerita Professor of Gender and Ethnicity at Utrecht University, on the overlooked contributions of this movement. Kathleen Ferrier, Joan’s sister, shared personal memories, while other contributors such as Kaouthar Darmoni (director of Atria), Hans Bellaart (senior researcher at the Verwey-Jonker Instituut), and Maayke Botman (researcher and former E-Quality employee) reflected on Joan’s influence. The event was made accessible with an interpreter for Dutch Sign Language.
Next Steps
The event serves as a platform to continue raising awareness about Joan Ferrier’s work and the ongoing struggle for the emancipation of marginalized women. It also strengthens the connection between past and present feminist movements, ensuring that Joan Ferrier’s legacy continues to inspire future generations in the fight for equality. Further events and initiatives are likely to build on this foundation, keeping the history of the Black, Migrant, and Refugee Women’s Movement alive in contemporary discussions on intersectional feminism.