Tjarda_Struik

Tjarda Struik

Tjarda Struik

Dutch politician and influencer (born 1986)

Tjarda C.M. Struik (born 17 April 1986) is a Dutch politician and civil servant representing the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Since 14 November 2023, Struik has been mayor of Leiderdorp.

Quick Facts Mayor of Leiderdorp, Municipal councilor of Zeist ...

Early life and education

Struik was born in Putten on the Veluwe, where she grew up with her sister and two half-sisters.[2] When she was in primary school, her teachers and parents suspected that she could not see well. Examination revealed the eye disease macular degeneration, a progressive disease. Due to this eye condition, Struik has approximately five percent vision.[1]

Struik received no special treatment and did not go to special education.[3] She obtained a bachelor's and master's degree in psychology in Groningen between 2005 and 2012.[1]

After her studies, Struik moved to Amsterdam, where she noticed that she could not cope well with her disability. During a nine-month stay in a rehabilitation center, she learned Braille and learned to use a cane.[3]

Career

Struik started her career as a communications advisor at the rehabilitation center where she stayed. She then worked as a manager in disability care. After a conversation with former Speaker of the House Gerdi Verbeet, she decided to enter politics herself.[3]

From 29 March 2018 to 3 October 2023, Struik was a municipal councilor in Zeist.[4] On 13 June 2023, she was nominated as the new mayor by the Leiderdorp municipal council.[5] On 14 November of that year, Struik was sworn in as mayor by King's Commissioner Jaap Smit. This made her the first female (almost) blind mayor of the Netherlands.[1][6] In preparation, she followed an orientation program from the Ministry of the Interior.[7]

In 2021, she started a speakers and consultancy firm, through which she gives lectures on inclusivity and diversity.[1] She has been active on TikTok as a blindfluencer since 2022, with around two hundred thousand followers as of mid-2023.[1][7][8]

Personal life

She is married and the mother of two children. Her father was director of the Struik canning factory.[2]

References

  1. [1]
    Gunst, Floortje (14 May 2023). "'Ik kreeg the horen: voor een blinde ben je wel heel knap'" ['I was told: for a blind person, you are very handsome']. Het Financieele Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  2. [2]
    Brouwer, Marijke (16 December 2022). "'Hoi, ik ben Tjarda en ik ben bijna bilnd.' Ze is beroemd op TikTok en wil graag burgemeester van Groningen worden" ['Hi, I am Tjarda en I am nearly blind.' She is famous on TikTok and would like to become mayor of Groningen]. Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  3. [3]
    Bormans, Abel (19 June 2023). "'Blindfluencer' Tjarda Struik (37), de nieuwe burgemeester van Leiderdorp, laat zich niet uit het veld slaan" ['Blindfluencer' Tjarda Struik (37), the new mayor of Leiderdorp, is not deterred]. De Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  4. [4]
    "Tjarda Struik neemt afscheid van gemeenteraad Zeist - en wordt burgemeester van Leiderdorp" [Tjarda Struik leaves the municipal council of Zeist - and becomes mayor of Leiderdorp]. De Nieuwsbode (in Dutch). 4 October 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  5. [5]
    "Tjarda Struik officieel benoemd" [Tjarda Struik officially appointed]. Leiderdorps Weekblad (in Dutch). 19 September 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  6. [6]
    "Nieuwe burgemeester in Leiderdorp" [New mayor in Leiderdorp]. Rijksoverheid (in Dutch). 18 September 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  7. [7]
    Kooistra, Maaike (14 June 2023). "'Bijna blind' TikTok-fenomeen Tjarda Struik nieuwe burgemeester Leiderdorp: 'Maar blijf gewoon Tjarda'" ['Nearly blind' TikTok phenomenon Tjarda Struik new mayor of Leiderdorp: 'But I remain just Tjarda']. Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  8. [8]
    "'Blindfluencer' Tjarda Struik nieuwe burgemeester Leiderdorp" ['Blindfluencer' Tjarda Struik new mayor Leiderdorp]. NOS (in Dutch). 14 June 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
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