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 memb…