Gerda

Today I met Gerda. We were introduced through a mutual friend from Canada. Our friend and I are both members of the International Federation of University Women, IFUW, through our membership in CFUW Burlington. Gerda is also a member of IFUW through her membership in VVAO.

IFUW, founded in 1919, is a worldwide, non-governmental organization whose purpose is to promote and advocate for:
•Lifelong education for women and girls;
•International cooperation, friendship, peace and respect for human rights for all, irrespective of their age, race, nationality, religion, political opinion, gender and sexual orientation or other status;
•Advancement of the status of women and girls; and
•Women and girls in leadership and decision-making positions in all forms of public and private life.

Gerda has been an active leader in the IFUW and it's regional group, the University Women of Europe, WE, having served in the past as Secretary General and as an executive board member.

We had a lovely lunch at Maxwell, which is on the Beukenplein in Oosterpark. Gerda talked about some of the activities and interest groups of VVOA Amsterdam, WE and IFUW. She was very welcoming, generous and kind. I hope that we meet again at an upcoming event.