She first joined Big Dutchman as an intern in 1977. Then she trained to become a businesswoman for wholesale and export trades. Which was quite unusual at the time because young women more often became shorthand typists or secretaries. But not Petra.
Petra Kathmann retires after 48 years
Goodbye, Mother Courage!
Petra Kathmann left and returned. Three times! Her nickname: boomerang. In the beginning, the now 64-year-old typed packing lists on a clunky typewriter. Later, she becameexport and human resources manager.
Many of the people she hired are top management today: one of them is a member of the Board of Big Dutchman AG, another manages the office in Malaysia. “They’re all my boys,” says Petra, not without pride. “I always let my gut instinct decide in job interviews.” And her gut was usually right.
Petra was never conformist. Back then, in the 1980s, she was a strong woman in a man’s world. Exceptionally courageous, committed and talented. It was never about power for her. Petra Kathman cared about the matter at hand, about justice and equality – and about the people, of which she shaped so many and for whom she was an important adviser.