Navigating Gendered Waters: Examining Women's Participation in Maritime Economic Activities in Schiedam, 1600-1800.

This research examines the roles and contributions of women in the maritime economy of Schiedam during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In the seventeenth century, Schiedam’s economy was driven by primary maritime activities such as herring fishing, whaling, canal transportation, trade, and employment connected to major companies like the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and the Dutch West India Company (WIC). As the century progressed, a significant shift occurred towards the jenever industry. Despite societal norms and legal constraints that limited their participation in many seafaring roles, women in Schiedam played crucial roles in shore-based industries. They were integral to the economy, managing businesses, producing essential maritime goods like nets and ropes, and were also involved as shipowners and traders. By the eighteenth century, their roles had evolved to include bookkeeping and active participation in the jenever industry. The study reveals that, contrary to the stereotypical image of women in the Dutch Republic as merely homemakers, women in Schiedam were dynamic participants in the local economy. They navigated societal and legal obstacles, finding ways to contribute significantly to the maritime and commercial life of their community. This research underscores the often-overlooked economic contributions of women in early modern Schiedam and suggests a need for further exploration of their roles across the broader spectrum of Dutch society during this period.