Aaltje de Jong, also known as Alida, was the daughter of Levie de Jong, a diamond polisher, and Sara Serlui. After primary school, she was trained to sew men’s suits. Because of a conflict at her workplace, she became a member of the Bond in de Kleedingindustrie [a trade union for the garment industry]. She joined the union’s executive council, and was the first woman to become a paid council member of a Dutch trade union. In 1931 she was sworn in as a member of the lower house of parliament for the SDAP.
In 1940 Alida de Jong was relieved of her trade union duties because she was Jewish and she was also expelled from Amsterdam’s city council. As an expression of solidarity with ‘her’ garment workers, she refused to flee to England or go into hiding. On 20 June 1943, Alida was picked up in a major razzia. From Westerbork she was deported to Sobibor.
Addition of a visitor of the website.
For additional information see her biography on the website Biografisch Woordenboek van het Socialisme en de Arbeidersbeweging in Nederland and also on the website Parlement & Politiek.