Margaretha Albertina Maria "Marga" Klompé (16 August 1912 – 28 October 1986) was a Dutch politician of the

Catholic People's Party The Catholic People's Party (, KVP) was a Roman Catholicism in the Netherlands, Catholic Christian democracy, Christian democratic list of political parties in the Netherlands, political party in the Netherlands. The party was founded in 1945 as ...

(KVP) and chemist. She was granted the honorary title of

Minister of State Minister of state is a designation for a government minister, with varying meanings in different jurisdictions. In a number of European countries, the title is given as an honorific conferring a higher rank, often bestowed upon senior minister ...

on 17 July 1971. Klompé was known for her abilities as a

manager Management (or managing) is the administration of organizations, whether businesses, nonprofit organizations, or a government bodies through business administration, nonprofit management, or the political science sub-field of public administra ...

and '' policy wonk''. Recognized as one of the main architects of the post-war Dutch

welfare state A welfare state is a form of government in which the State (polity), state (or a well-established network of social institutions) protects and promotes the economic and social well-being of its citizens, based upon the principles of equal oppor ...

, Klompé was granted the honorary title of

on 17 July 1971 and continued to comment on political affairs as a stateswoman until her death at the age of 74 and holds the distinction as the first woman government minister in the Netherlands, the first woman awarded the honorary title of Minister of State, and the fifth longest-serving government minister after

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

with a total tenure of 11 years, 145 days.

Early life

Margaretha Albertina Maria Klompé was born on 16 August 1912 in

Arnhem Arnhem ( ; ; Central Dutch dialects, Ernems: ''Èrnem'') is a Cities of the Netherlands, city and List of municipalities of the Netherlands, municipality situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands, near the German border. It is the capita ...

in the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

into a

Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

family of five children. Her father was the Dutch J. P. M. Klompé, who owned a stationery shop and her mother was the German-born A. M. J. A. Verdang. Klompé attended a Gymnasium in

from June 1925 until June 1929 and applied at the

Utrecht University Utrecht University (UU; , formerly ''Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht'') is a public university, public research university in Utrecht, Netherlands. Established , it is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands. In 2023, it had an enrollment of ...

in June 1929 majoring in

Chemistry Chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a physical science within the natural sciences that studies the chemical elements that make up matter and chemical compound, compounds made of atoms, molecules a ...

and obtaining a

Bachelor of Science A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, B.S., B.Sc., SB, or ScB; from the Latin ') is a bachelor's degree that is awarded for programs that generally last three to five years. The first university to admit a student to the degree of Bachelor of Scienc ...

in Chemistry degree in April 1931 before graduating with a

Master of Science A Master of Science (; abbreviated MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master's degree. In contrast to the Master of Arts degree, the Master of Science degree is typically granted for studies in sciences, engineering and medici ...

in Chemistry degree in July 1932. During these years, and as a result of her studies, Klompé started to question several aspects of religion and in particular the institute itself. Following this crisis, Klompé's commitment to religion was reinforced which she combined with an open mind. Klompé lived outside the church for a number of years. But after finding her own orientation, more steeped in the mysticism of the Roman Catholic faith, she completely surrendered to it. She emerged from this personal crisis in a deep faithful way but left it with a lasting respect for other forms of faith. Klompé worked as a science teacher at the Mater Dei High School for girls in

Nijmegen Nijmegen ( , ; Nijmeegs: ) is the largest city in the Dutch province of Gelderland and the ninth largest of the Netherlands as a whole. Located on the Waal River close to the German border, Nijmegen is one of the oldest cities in the ...

from July 1932 until August 1949. Klompé returned to the Utrecht University in June 1933 for a

postgraduate education Postgraduate education, graduate education, or graduate school consists of Academic degree, academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications usually pursued by higher education, post-secondary students who have ...

Physics Physics is the scientific study of matter, its Elementary particle, fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge whi ...

and

Mathematics Mathematics is a field of study that discovers and organizes methods, Mathematical theory, theories and theorems that are developed and Mathematical proof, proved for the needs of empirical sciences and mathematics itself. There are many ar ...

obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and a

Bachelor of Mathematics A Bachelor of Mathematics (abbreviated B.Math, BMath, or BMaths) is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for successfully completing a program of study in mathematics or related disciplines, such as applied mathematics, actuarial science, comp ...

degree in July 1934 before graduating with a Master of Physics degree and a

Master of Mathematics A Master of Mathematics (or MMath) degree is a specific advanced integrated Master's degree for courses in the field of mathematics. United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, the MMath is the internationally recognized standard qualification after a f ...

degree in July 1936. On 10 May 1940

Nazi Germany Nazi Germany, officially known as the German Reich and later the Greater German Reich, was the German Reich, German state between 1933 and 1945, when Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party controlled the country, transforming it into a Totalit ...

invaded the Netherlands and the

government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a State (polity), state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive (government), execu ...

fled to

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

to escape the German occupation. During the German occupation, Klompé continued her studies and got a

doctorate A doctorate (from Latin ''doctor'', meaning "teacher") or doctoral degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism '' licentia docendi'' ("licence to teach ...

as a

Doctor of Science A Doctor of Science (; most commonly abbreviated DSc or ScD) is a science doctorate awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. Africa Algeria and Morocco In Algeria, Morocco, Libya and Tunisia, all universities accredited by the s ...

in Mathematics on 21 April 1941 and as a Doctor of Science in Physics on 30 April 1942. Klompé subsequently continued at the Utrecht University in June 1942 for another postgraduate education in

Medicine Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for patients, managing the Medical diagnosis, diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, ...

but in April 1943 the German occupation authority closed the Utrecht University. Klompé joined the

Dutch resistance The Dutch resistance () to the History of the Netherlands (1939–1945), German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II can be mainly characterized as non-violent. The primary organizers were the Communist Party of the Netherlands, C ...

against the German occupiers, as a messenger, soon after the

invasion An invasion is a Offensive (military), military offensive of combatants of one geopolitics, geopolitical Legal entity, entity, usually in large numbers, entering territory (country subdivision), territory controlled by another similar entity, ...

in May 1940.

Political career

After the war, Klompé started to focus on politics, which was rather unusual for a woman at the time. Klompé worked as a political activist for the Dutch People's Movement from May 1945 until August 1948. Klompé became a Member of the House of Representatives after Johan van Maarseveen was appointed as

Minister of the Interior An interior minister (sometimes called a minister of internal affairs or minister of home affairs) is a cabinet official position that is responsible for internal affairs, such as public security, civil registration and identification, emergency ...

in the Cabinet Drees-Van Schaik after the election of 1948, taking office on 12 August 1948 serving as a

frontbencher In many parliaments and other similar assemblies, seating is typically arranged in banks or rows, with each political party or caucus grouped together. The spokespeople for each group will often sit at the front of their group, and are then know ...

and

spokesperson A spokesperson, spokesman, or spokeswoman is someone engaged or elected to speak on behalf of others. Duties and function In the present media-sensitive world, many organizations are increasingly likely to employ professionals who have receiv ...

for

Social Work Social work is an academic discipline and practice-based profession concerned with meeting the basic needs of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society as a whole to enhance their individual and collective well-being. Social wo ...

Welfare Welfare may refer to: Philosophy *Well-being (happiness, prosperity, or flourishing) of a person or group * Utility in utilitarianism * Value in value theory Economics * Utility, a general term for individual well-being in economics and decision ...

Media Media may refer to: Communication * Means of communication, tools and channels used to deliver information or data ** Advertising media, various media, content, buying and placement for advertising ** Interactive media, media that is inter ...

and deputy spokesperson for

Education Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education als ...

and

Culture Culture ( ) is a concept that encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and Social norm, norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, Social norm, customs, capabilities, Attitude (psychology), attitudes ...

. She was part of the Dutch parliamentary delegation accredited to the first-ever meeting of the Consultative Assembly of the

Council of Europe The Council of Europe (CoE; , CdE) is an international organisation with the goal of upholding human rights, democracy and the Law in Europe, rule of law in Europe. Founded in 1949, it is Europe's oldest intergovernmental organisation, represe ...

in August 1949, one of only nine women thought to have attended out of 187 members. Klompé was selected as a Member of the European Coal and Steel Community Parliament and dual served in those positions, taking office on 10 September 1952. After the election of 1956 Klompé was appointed as Minister of Social Work in the Cabinet Drees III, taking office on 13 October 1956. The Cabinet Drees III fell on 11 December 1958 and continued to serve in a demissionary capacity until the cabinet formation of 1958 when it was replaced by the caretaker Cabinet Beel II with Klompé continuing as Minister of Social Work, taking office on 22 December 1958. After the election of 1959 Klompé returned as a Member of the House of Representatives, taking office on 20 March 1959. Following the cabinet formation of 1959 Klompé continued as Minister of Social Work in the Cabinet De Quay, taking office on 19 May 1959. Klompé served as acting Minister of Education, Arts and Sciences from 7 November 1961 until 4 February 1962 and again from 23 April 1963 until 24 July 1963 during two medical leave of absences of

Jo Cals Jozef Maria Laurens Theo "Jo" Cals (18 July 1914 – 30 December 1971) was a Dutch politician of the Catholic People's Party (KVP) and jurist who served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 14 April 1965 until 22 November 1966. Cals studie ...

. Her main contribution was the passing of the Social Security Bill in 1963, which replaced the previous Poverty Bill. After the election of 1963 Klompé again returned as a Member of the House of Representatives, taking office on 2 July 1963. Following the cabinet formation of 1963 Klompé per her own request asked not to be considered for a cabinet post in the new cabinet, the Cabinet De Quay was replaced by the Cabinet Marijnen on 24 July 1963 and she continued serving in the House of Representatives serving as a frontbencher chairing the parliamentary committee for Social Work and the special parliamentary committee for Parliamentary Procedures and spokesperson for Social Affairs, Education, Social Work, Welfare, Culture and Equality. On 14 October 1966 the incumbent Cabinet Cals fell and continued to serve in a demissionary capacity until the cabinet formation of 1966 when it was replaced by the caretaker Cabinet Zijlstra with Klompé again appointed as Minister of Culture, Recreation and Social Work, taking office on 22 November 1966. After the election of 1967 Klompé once again returned as a Member of the House of Representatives, taking office 23 February 1967. Following the cabinet formation of 1967 Klompé remained as Minister of Culture, Recreation and Social Work in the Cabinet De Jong, taking office on 5 April 1967. In January 1971 Klompé announced her retirement from national politics and that she wouldn't stand for the election of 1971. The Cabinet De Jong was replaced by the Cabinet Biesheuvel I on 6 July 1971.

Later life

Klompé retired after spending 23 years in national politics and became active in the

public sector The public sector, also called the state sector, is the part of the economy composed of both public services and public enterprises. Public sectors include the public goods and governmental services such as the military, law enforcement, pu ...

and occupied numerous seats as a nonprofit director on several boards of directors and supervisory boards (

Bible Society A Bible society is a non-profit organization, usually nondenominational in makeup, devoted to translating, publishing, and distributing the Bible at affordable prices. In recent years they also are increasingly involved in advocating its credi ...

, Dutch Women's Council, Bernard van Leer Foundation, Society of Prosperity, Dutch Cancer Society, SNV Development Organisation, Open Doors Foundation and the

Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (''Justitia et Pax'') was a pontifical council of the Roman Curia dedicated to "action-oriented studies" for the international promotion of justice, peace, and human rights from the perspective of the ...

) and served on several state commissions and councils on behalf of the government ( Raad voor Cultuur, Nationale Adviescommissie Emancipatie,

Staatsbosbeheer Staatsbosbeheer, founded in 1899, is a Dutch government organization for forestry and the management of nature reserves. Staatsbosbeheer currently oversees over 250,000 hectares of land in the Netherlands. Usually this land is open to the public ...

and the Onderwijsraad) and as an advocate and activist for

Poverty reduction Poverty reduction, poverty relief, or poverty alleviation is a set of measures, both economic and humanitarian, that are intended to permanently lift people out of poverty. Measures, like those promoted by Henry George in his economics classi ...

Basic income Universal basic income (UBI) is a social welfare proposal in which all citizens of a given population regularly receive a minimum income in the form of an unconditional transfer payment, i.e., without a means test or need to perform Work (hu ...

Women's rights Women's rights are the rights and Entitlement (fair division), entitlements claimed for women and girls worldwide. They formed the basis for the women's rights movement in the 19th century and the feminist movements during the 20th and 21st c ...

and

European integration European integration is the process of political, legal, social, regional and economic integration of states wholly or partially in Europe, or nearby. European integration has primarily but not exclusively come about through the European Union ...

. Klompé was also a member of several national and international associations, such as the

and the Joint Task Force for European Cooperation in Development. In addition, Klompé was involved in the Catholic community. She was a member of the national council for the

Bishops' Conference An episcopal conference, often also called a bishops’ conference or conference of bishops, is an official assembly of the Bishop (Catholic Church), bishops of the Catholic Church in a given territory. Episcopal conferences have long existed as i ...

, a member of the Papal Commission 'Justitia et Pax', and she also founded the union of Roman Catholic female graduates. Furthermore, Klompé supported the underprivileged in society. Therefore, her critics called her 'Our Lady of Perpetual Succour'. Klompé died on 28 October 1986 in

The Hague The Hague ( ) is the capital city of the South Holland province of the Netherlands. With a population of over half a million, it is the third-largest city in the Netherlands. Situated on the west coast facing the North Sea, The Hague is the c ...

Decorations

References

External links

*
Dr. M.A.M. (Marga) Klompé
Parlement & Politiek {{DEFAULTSORT:Klompe, Marga 1912 births 1986 deaths Dutch anti-poverty advocates Universal basic income activists Catholic People's Party MEPs Catholic People's Party politicians Dutch expatriates in Italy Dutch nonprofit directors Dutch nonprofit executives Dutch people of German descent Dutch resistance members Dutch Roman Catholics Dutch women activists Dutch activists Dutch women chemists 20th-century Dutch chemists Dutch women mathematicians Dutch women physicists Dutch women's rights activists European integration pioneers Female resistance members of World War II Grand Crosses of the Order of the Crown (Belgium) Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau Members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre Knights of the Order of the Netherlands Lion Ministers of education of the Netherlands Ministers of social work of the Netherlands Ministers of sport of the Netherlands Ministers of state of the Netherlands Politicians from Arnhem Women government ministers of the Netherlands 20th-century women MEPs for the Netherlands 20th-century Dutch educators 20th-century Dutch mathematicians 20th-century Dutch scientists Dutch MPs 1967–1971 Dutch MPs 1948–1952