ISSN: 1011-727X
e-ISSN: 2667-5420

Bekir Sıtkı Baykal

Keywords: Woman, Anatolian Women, National Struggle, Association

Abstract

The most important event that shows the participation of Turkish women in the national struggle with great determination is the establishment of the "Anatolian women's defense-I Homeland Society", headquartered in Sivas. This society was founded in Sivas by Melek Reşit Hanım, the wife of Reşit Pasha, the governor of Sivas, and his friends, and in a short time many branches were opened in various cities of Anatolia . Following the enemy occupation with great sensitivity and care, this society has seen great services that Turkish womanhood will be proud of during the war of Independence, publishing protests from time to time against the Entente States and the Government of Istanbul, opening campaigns for money and goods for the National Army, sending congratulatory messages to those who have crossed into Anatolia for national struggle. During her services, the Anatolian women's defence-I Homeland Society maintained its relations with the delegation-I representation and the Ankara government and gained the great appreciation of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.