In 1969 a small number of women and men founded Dolle Mina (‘Mad Mina’), an activist group named after Wilhelmina Drucker (1847-1925), who was part of the first feminist wave.

Driven by disaffection with the position of women in both the domestic and social realm, Dolle Mina fought for equal opportunities for everyone, irrespective of gender. The group quickly grew into a symbol of post-war, or ‘second wave’, feminism, attracting thousands of followers. They fought on practical issues such as abortion, crèches, equal pay and public toilets for women, and formed a working group focusing on the theoretical aspects of schooling, raising awareness and changing mentalities. Dolle Mina were known for memorable campaigns such as their storming of Nijenrode Castle, where only men were allowed to study, and Boss of Your Own Belly (Baas in eigen buik), which came to embody the battle for abortion rights.