Women’s Wing: the forgotten stories of female prisoners in the Oranjehotel

Women at the Oranjehotel during the Second World War

During the German occupation, at least 2,500 women were imprisoned in the Oranjehotel, the nickname given to the Scheveningen prison. For a long time, little attention was paid to their experiences and their role in the resistance. The exhibition ‘Women’s Wing’ reveals who these women were, how they experienced their imprisonment and what legacy they left behind.

The exhibition explores three themes. How did the women end up in the Oranjehotel? How did they keep in touch with one another and with the outside world? And what was their daily life like, given that they had hardly any freedom or privacy?

Personal stories and objects

Letters, documents and embroidery offer a glimpse into life behind prison walls. Some of these items came from Greet Ziegler-Cooijmans, who was imprisoned in the Oranjehotel from March 1942 to November 1943.

The former women’s wing is also featured. This separate wing of the prison has since been demolished. In the exhibition, the vanished cell block is brought back to life as a space for remembrance.

The role of women in the resistance

Women played an important role in the resistance during the Second World War. Sometimes, it was precisely because they were seen as harmless that they were able to help others and save lives without being noticed.

Through ‘Vrouwenvleugel’, the Oranjehotel National Monument is bringing these stories to the fore. The exhibition highlights the role women have played throughout history and draws connections with themes such as women’s rights, resistance and the passing on of stories to future generations.