She started working as a volunteer for the archives of Utrecht and passed her certification exam in 1930 as an official archivist.

She continued her volunteer work and taught on the side, until she found an assistant's position with the Gelderse Vallei.

As a female she was low on the priority list, but she knew several influential people in Haarlem and she was the only one with the proper qualifications.

After writing a letter to the city treasurer assuring him that she needed to be paid no more than 2500 guilders per year, she was hired.

This work probably influenced her to take many pictures of Haarlem during the German occupation, many of which have been used in scientific publications to document various aspects of the war.

Not only did she take many pictures, she also hid the archives of the various Jewish organizations of Haarlem in the crypt of the Sint Janskerk, protecting them through the war years.

It has been said of the North Holland archives that this was the only government institution in Haarlem without a notice stating "Jews not allowed".