I spent the afternoon with the charming and elegant Jenny van Hove, 87 years young, a founding member of the CERN Women's Club. I was interviewing her for an article which I am writing for the CWC Newsletter. Amongst other things she told me about the early days of the club. I had no idea the club had such a tragic provenance. Jenny (whose husband Léon was Research Director General of CERN) and Renie Adams (whose husband John Adams was Executive Director General) had heard about the difficulties encountered by the wives of CERN's foreign employees. These women accompanied their husbands to CERN but then felt extremely isolated living in the nearby French villages. Their loneliness often had heartbreaking consequences such as marriage break-ups and even suicide. Jenny and Renie used their influence (who wants to say no to the wives of the Directors General?) to start the club with the aim of connecting women in similar circumstances to foster friendship and community. The club continues with this task in the present day.
When I complemented her on how well she looked and expressed the hope that I looked as good when I am in my
troisième âge, Jenny's advice is "to look forward...don't complain all the time, try to laugh as much as you can". Delightful and inspiring words, just like the lady herself!
