Pioneers for Turkish women

Yazar	: Suzan Nuri
Yorum Sayısı	: 0
Okunma	: 2034
Tarih	: 05 Mart 2009 16:33

IN celebration of International Women’s Day this Sunday (8 March), I am highlighting Turkish women in history who were pioneers.

In these conservative times, it is interesting to note that Nezihe Muhiddin was a true pioneer, laying the foundations for Turkish women to become more than simply home makers.

Muhiddin was a political activist, journalist and writer at a time when Turkish women had few rights and her achievements are considerable when looked at in the context of the dying days of the Ottoman empire and being on the verge of a modern Turkish republic.

Born in 1889, the only daughter of a wealthy – and modern thinking – Istanbul family, Muhiddin was home schooled and became a science teacher in 1909. After a successful career in education, she was appointed as an education ministry inspector.

She wrote her first novel in 1911 and won wide-spread recognition as a writer. In 1913, Muhiddin founded the women’s organisation ‘Turk Hanimlari Esirgeme Dernegi’ and published articles on a range of women’s issues.

In July 1923, 11 years before Turkish women were given the vote, Muhiddin founded the Women’s People’s Party with Sukufe Nihal.

She penned 15 novels after turning to full time writing in 1930, was married twice and spent a big portion of her life seeking to improve quality of life for Turkish women.

It should be remembered that while Muhiddin was a pioneer, there were others, making waves in their own professions.

For example, Safiye Ali is regarded as the first Turkish female doctor, treating war wounded in the Turkish War of Independence and in World War 1.

In 1924, Ferdane Bozdogan Erbek was the first Turkish woman to be awarded a doctorate in dentistry.

In 1930, Turkish women became judges while Gul Esin became the first elected village official in 1933.

In 1936, Sabiha Gokcen was the first ever wartime pilot, not just in Turkey, but in the world (Istanbul’s second airport is named after her).

Mufide Ilhan became the first woman mayor elected to office in Mersin in 1950 and in 1957, Dr Sema Aran was the first female army officer.

Leman Altincekic was the first female accredited aircraft carrier pilot in 1958, preceding American Lt Kara Spears Hultgreen by almost 40 years.

In 971 Prof Dr Turkan Akyol became the first woman minister in a Turkish government (and the first ever woman president of a Turkish university).

Filiz Dincmen was the first Turkish woman ambassador – to Holland – in 1982 while Tansu Ciller became Turkey’s first female prime minister in 1993.

In 2005 Tulay Tugcu became the first Chief Justice of the Constitutional Supreme Court and in 2007, Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag became the first female president of the prestigious Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD).

So this week, I celebrate these women and their achievements and I believe they can still inspire women today to go further than they dare think possible.

The Association of Turkish Women in the UK (BTKD) are hosting a conference this Sunday, discussing women’s struggle for rights. It will start at 3pm at Princess Alexandra Hall at Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’ Street, London SW1A. Confirm your attendance by email to btkd.info@yahoo.co.uk

54321

© 2005-2010 Tüm Hakları Saklıdır
RSS Kaynağı | Yazar Girişi