07/10/2026
🎉 45 YEARS OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN OF EUROPE 🇪🇺
1981–2026 | From a vision to a European voice.
This year, we proudly celebrate the 45th Anniversary of University Women of Europe (UWE), 45 years of commitment to education, equality, leadership and the advancement of women across Europe.
But the story of UWE began even before its official foundation.
In the 1970s, as European institutions were becoming increasingly important in shaping the continent’s future, university women recognised something essential: women needed a stronger and organised voice at the European level.
In 1975, Jans Gremmée of the Netherlands raised the question of how qualified European women could be encouraged and supported to take their place in positions of influence and decision-making.
The idea continued to grow. Discussions among European members of the International Federation of University Women gained momentum, including at the 1977 Conference in Stirling, Scotland. Together with Gisela Kessel of Germany, Jans Gremmée helped advance the vision of creating a European organisation capable of representing university women within the emerging European structures.
That vision became reality in Luxembourg on 28–29 November 1981, when representatives of 14 European national federations and associations came together and University Women of Europe was formally established.
Switzerland was chosen as the seat of the new organisation, marking the beginning of a European network that would continue to grow across borders and generations.
In 1982, UWE elected its first Executive, with Jans Gremmée as its first President. Only a short time later, in 1983, UWE obtained status with the Council of Europe, an important recognition of its role as a voice for university women at European level.
From those pioneering beginnings to today, generations of remarkable women have carried this vision forward, advocating for women’s rights, equal opportunities, education, leadership, peace and meaningful participation in decision-making.
🌍 What began as a conversation among visionary women became a European movement.
Today, as we celebrate 45 years of UWE, we honour the founders who dared to imagine it, the women who built and strengthened it over the decades, and every member who continues to contribute to its mission.
45 years of history.
45 years of solidarity.
45 years of women building bridges across Europe.
May the next chapter be as courageous, inspiring and forward-looking as the first. 💙
🎓🇪🇺 Happy 45th Anniversary, University Women of Europe!
Edith Lommerse Aisha Alshawaf Başak Yılmaz Ovacık Georgeta Stoican Grainne Keane Roxana Elena Petrescu
