Political animal – Marianne Thieme

Having founded and led the world’s first Party for the Animals – there are now 19 chapters worldwide – Dutch politician and animal rights activist Marianne Thieme (49) is one of Mother Earth’s brightest and bravest representatives. But what fuels this feminine feminist’s fire? The clue can be found in her choice of swimwear…

Marlies: As a feminist, I believe in equal rights for men and women. In the same vein, I have always supported animal rights. Still, when you started your Party for the Animals 20 years ago, my initial reaction was: Huh, why?

Marianne: Oh, you were definitely not the only one! And understandably so; with all the troubles in the world, why would I focus on animals? It took a while for people to see that by sticking up for the most vulnerable creatures on earth, I was actually trying to protect the earth itself.

Marlies: You were sticking up for Mother Earth; I see that now. How did you become politically engaged?

Marianne: My love for animals and my moral outrage over their treatment goes back to my early childhood. But I was never really into politics. “The political party I would vote for, doesn’t exist yet,” I told my high–school friends. Who could have guessed that 15 years later, I would start my own party?

Marlies: I completely relate to that. The lingerie I wanted to wear didn’t exist, so I started to design my own. The whole entrepreneurial side was something I rolled into. I really had no choice! I actually turned out to have a knack for it, but becoming a businesswoman was never my main motivation.

Marianne: To tell you the truth, I always had a slight distaste for politics and having to deal with a nepotist bunch of conservatives. When we first started our party, we were considering asking a famous person to become our spokesperson, but that wouldn’t be a stable, long–term option. Then, all of a sudden, I felt everybody looking at me. And I thought: “Oh my, they want me to do it!”. I mean, I used to be nervous when I had to do a school presentation. But I stepped into the role. Like you, I felt I had to. There was a higher goal.

Marlies: Which goal exactly?

Marianne: To give a voice to the voiceless; to show that animals have a right of existence beyond the purpose they serve for us. For too long, we have been taking nature for granted. I was so sick of seeing how making money was always prioritized over protecting the environment. And I decided to use my anger to do something positive. I was going to prove that we can coexist peacefully and productively with nature. After all, we are part of it!

Marlies: I agree, we’re all children of Mother Earth. How did you learn to embrace your role as a spokesperson?

Marianne: In politics, there is still the presumption that if you want to be as successful as the leading men, you have to become one of them. Sadly, a lot of women lose their femininity in that process and I decided early on not to fall into that trap. I’ve always insisted on expressing my femininity not just in the way I look – wearing dresses, not hiding my curves – but also in my presentation. I allowed myself to be vulnerable, to admit that I didn’t always have the right answer, which is actually very empowering! I think Marilyn Monroe put it wonderfully when she said: ‘Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition.’ One of the reasons I am such a big fan of your designs is that they make women feel so confident in their femininity. Marlies: How wonderful to hear; that has always been my mission.

Marianne: Nothing is more flattering for my fifties figure than for example your swimwear, I have got quite a collection of them! But seriously, in order to succeed in a man’s world, we need women like you: women who support other women. Sadly, we still have a tendency to be overly critical towards each other. And it starts at a young age. “You really shouldn’t wear that,” girls will tell each other. Later on, you see that same attitude on the work floor, in the media, in politics. Whereas we should be building each other up!

Marlies: I agree, it’s all about having a supportive sisterhood. When it comes to making our dreams come true, what is your most important piece of advice?

Marianne: Nothing is more flattering for my fifties figure than for example your swimwear, I have got quite a collection of them! But seriously, in order to succeed in a man’s world, we need women like you: women who support other women. Sadly, we still have a tendency to be overly critical towards each other. And it starts at a young age. “You really shouldn’t wear that,” girls will tell each other. Later on, you see that same attitude on the work floor, in the media, in politics. Whereas we should be building each other up!

Marlies: (Laughs) Yes, let’s use what Mother Earth gave us! Thank you, Marianne!