Thanks to the support, knowledge, work, care and advice of many, the first Heroines! School project was a great success. During the past months, thirty primary schools classes in the Netherlands have participated in the project. Through stories, games, exercises and videos children were introduced to the diverse role models from the children’s book ‘Het Begint Met Een Droom’ (It Starts With A Dream). Real-life heroines from the book have supported the programme by creating videos, including the former prime-minster of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Maria Liberia-Peters.
The goal of this project was to encourage all children to dream big and to chase those dreams. A study by Utrecht University confirmed the positive impact of this project on the participants.
We want extend a special thanks to the phenomenal teachers who worked with us. Their enthusiasm, their willingness to help, and their dedication to the wellbeing and growth of every single student in their classes made this project a success. We also want to thank VSB Fonds, Janivo Stichting, Stichting Voor Vrouwen Door Vrouwen and the Gravin van Bylandt Stichting for their support.
We are looking forward to expanding the Heroines! School Project. We will begin by implementing the recommendations from teachers, so we can make an improved version that can be shared with all primary schools in the Netherlands.
In the words of author, host, and spoken word artist Babs Gons, and picturesque illustrations by Femme ter Haar, the book tells the stories of 20 heroines who give and have given colour to the Dutch Kingdom. These heroines show us how dreams can come true because they believed in themselves and persevered when times were difficult. Because they inspire others to follow their dreams too. They all dreamed, because that’s how it starts, with a dream.
Heroines! has partnered with Herstory, a cultural movement that tells the stories of mythic, modern and historic women.
Together we’re creating a series of books for young girls in every country that will share the untold stories of local women and their extraordinary accomplishments. All the books will launch with supporting lesson plans for schools. Already there are books in development in Belgium, Denmark, Ghana, Nepal, The Netherlands, Qatar, Singapore and Ireland. Stay tuned for more exciting news from the Heroines! + Herstory collaboration.