Schmitz died on December 31. The mayor and aldermen of Haarlem announced this news today. Elizabeth Schmitz started her political career in Rotterdam. She was a councilor on behalf of D66 from 1972 to 1974. In that year she switched to the PvdA and became alderman for Social Affairs in Rotterdam.
First female mayor
In 1985 she was installed as the first female mayor of Haarlem. She held that position until 1994, when she became State Secretary for Justice in the first Kok cabinet. In 1998, Schmitz retired from politics and worked as a Health Insurance Ombudsman until 2010.
Mayor Jos Wienen takes note of Schmitz’s death with sadness: “In Haarlem, Schmitz is remembered as a committed mayor who was committed to all
Haarlemmers and had an eye for minorities. She brought up global issues such as
immigration, environment and peace at local attention. She was also committed to women’s emancipation.”
Emancipation
“Schmitz was the driving force behind the women’s consultation in the city council. She not only made an active contribution to the emancipation of Haarlem women, but as a female politician she was also a role model for many Haarlem women and girls.”