Tjarda Struik

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Tjarda Struik
Mayor of Leiderdorp
Assumed office
14 November 2023
Municipal councilor of Zeist
In office
2018–2023
Personal details
Born
Tjarda C.M. Struik

(1986-04-17) 17 April 1986 (age 38)[1]
Putten, Netherlands
Political partyVVD
Alma materUniversity of Groningen
Profession
Websitetjardastruik.nl

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.

Early life and education[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ "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. ^ "Tjarda Struik officieel benoemd" [Tjarda Struik officially appointed]. Leiderdorps Weekblad (in Dutch). 19 September 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Nieuwe burgemeester in Leiderdorp" [New mayor in Leiderdorp]. Rijksoverheid (in Dutch). 18 September 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  7. ^ a b 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. ^ "'Blindfluencer' Tjarda Struik nieuwe burgemeester Leiderdorp" ['Blindfluencer' Tjarda Struik new mayor Leiderdorp]. NOS (in Dutch). 14 June 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.

External links[edit]

Party political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Leiderdorp
2023–present 		Incumbent
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