On February 10, 1917, Johanna Westerdijk became the first female professor in the Netherlands.
On February 10, 1917, Johanna Westerdijk was inaugurated as the first female professor in the Netherlands, holding the position at Utrecht University. This milestone event was not only a personal achievement but also a significant boundary-breaker in a male-dominated academic landscape. Holding this professorship solidified her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge while breaking societal barriers. Her work helped establish ground-breaking plant pathology practices, including a focus on the control of Dutch elm disease, influencing both scientific advances and social change.