Şefiqa Gaspıralı
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Şefiqa Gaspıralı (; 14 October 1886 – 31 August 1975) was a Crimean Tatar feminist leader who was editor-in-chief and publisher of the first women's magazine, a member of the Presidency Council of the Kurultai, and a deputy for two terms in the
Crimean People's Republic The Crimean People's Republic ( Crimean Tatar: ; ; ) or Crimean Democratic Republic was a self-declared state that existed from December 1917 to January 1918 in the Crimean Peninsula. The Republic was one of many short-lived states that declare ...
. She was also a kindergarten teacher.


Early years

Şefiqa Gaspıralı was born to
Ismail Gasprinsky Ismail bey Gasprinsky (also written as Gaspirali and Gasprinski; , ; ''Ismail Gasprinskii''; – ) was a Crimean Tatar intellectual, educator, publisher and Pan-Turkist politician who inspired the Jadidist movement in Central Asia. He was one o ...
(1851–1914), a Crimean Tatar thinker, publisher, educator, politician and reformer, one of the leaders of the Turkish cultural and political awakening in the early 20th century, in
Bakhchysarai Bakhchysarai is a city in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Bakhchysarai Raion (district), as well as the former capital of the Crimean Khanate. Its main landmark is Hansaray, the only extant ...
,
Crimea Crimea ( ) is a peninsula in Eastern Europe, on the northern coast of the Black Sea, almost entirely surrounded by the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov. The Isthmus of Perekop connects the peninsula to Kherson Oblast in mainland Ukrain ...
(
Taurida Governorate Taurida Governorate was an administrative-territorial unit ('' guberniya'') of the Russian Empire. It included the territory of the Crimean Peninsula and the mainland between the lower Dnieper River with the coasts of the Black Sea and Sea o ...
,
Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire that spanned most of northern Eurasia from its establishment in November 1721 until the proclamation of the Russian Republic in September 1917. At its height in the late 19th century, it covered about , roughl ...
) on 14 October 1886. Her mother was Zühre Gaspıralı, a member of the Akçora dynasty. Şefiqa had seven siblings, four brothers, Refat, Danyal, Mansur, Haydar and three sisters Behiye, Leyla, Nigar. Gaspıralı learned to read and write from her father. She then continued his education at her father's "Usûl-ü Cedit" (New Method) School in Crimea. Her father chose and raised her among his siblings, gave special importance to her education. Her mother died when she was 17 years old. She took on the responsibility of the house.


Journalist career

In spite of her domestic duties, she became her father's most important assistant in the management of the publications of the newspaper '' Terciman'' ("The Translator"), the correspondence and translation from Russian language, as well as the postal and distribution affairs. In 1903, she wrote her first article in ''Terciman''. During this time, she met Nasib bey Yusifbeyli of
Ganja ''Ganja'' (, ; ) is one of the oldest and most commonly used synonyms for cannabis flower, specifically marijuana or hashish. Its usage in English dates to before 1689. Etymology ''Ganja'' is borrowed from Hindi (, IPA: aːɲd͡ʒa ...
, a young Azerbaijani man, who often visited her father. Her correspondence on political issues with Yusifbeyli turned into intimacy, and they married in 1906. İsmail Gaspıralı founded the magazine ''
Alem-i Nisvan ''Alem-i Nisvan'' () was a Crimean Tatar magazine oriented towards women and published from 1906 to 1912. Founded by leading Crimean Tatar intellectual and journalist Ismail Gasprinsky, it was under the editorship of his daughter Şefiqa Gas ...
'' ("Women's World") in 1906 after realizing that ''Terciman'' was inadequate in matters of improving the low social status of women in Russia, women's education and employment. Şefiqa was appointed head of the magazine. Published articles informed, directed, encouraged and organized Turkic women, giving detailed information on women and women's movements in the Turkish and Islamic world. In 1908, she gave birth to a daughter Zöhre, and a year later to a son Niyazi. During this period, she, together with her husband Nesip and her older brother Rıfat, assumed the entire burden of ''Terciman''. In 1912, Şefiqa and her husband Yusifbeyli moved to Ganja, Azerbaijan and settled there after the magazine ''Alem-i Nisvan'' was closed. At the end of that year, she returned home as no one could be found to deal with the newspaper ''Terciman''. Her father İsmail Gaspıralı died on 11 September 1914.


Women's rights activist and politician

Turkic women living in the
Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire that spanned most of northern Eurasia from its establishment in November 1721 until the proclamation of the Russian Republic in September 1917. At its height in the late 19th century, it covered about , roughl ...
were excluded from social, political, cultural and economic life, neglected and deprived of education. Şefiqa was one of the pioneers to start a women's movement under these adverse conditions. All her life, Şefiqa Gaspıralı struggled with her schools, organizations and political participation efforts for the awakening of Turkic women, about which not many people cared. Şefiqa became one of the first deputies of the short-lived First Crimean Congress of the
Crimean People's Republic The Crimean People's Republic ( Crimean Tatar: ; ; ) or Crimean Democratic Republic was a self-declared state that existed from December 1917 to January 1918 in the Crimean Peninsula. The Republic was one of many short-lived states that declare ...
in 1917, with her recognition during her term as the editor-in-chief of themagazine ''Alem-i Nisvan''. She also participated in the All-Muslims of Russia Congress within the Crimean delegation convened in Moscow. Şefiqa Gaspıralı aimed to make Turkic women equal legally, socially and culturally in a male-dominated understanding of administration and society in all respects. Crimea had two advantages over other regions for the socio-cultural and political development of Turkic women: First, it was the birthplace of the innovation and modernization movement initiated by İsmail Gaspıralı. Secondly, compared to the
Caucasus The Caucasus () or Caucasia (), is a region spanning Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, comprising parts of Southern Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The Caucasus Mountains, i ...
and
Turkestan Turkestan,; ; ; ; also spelled Turkistan, is a historical region in Central Asia corresponding to the regions of Transoxiana and East Turkestan (Xinjiang). The region is located in the northwest of modern day China and to the northwest of its ...
, Crimean women suffered less from
polygamy Polygamy (from Late Greek , "state of marriage to many spouses") is the practice of marriage, marrying multiple spouses. When a man is married to more than one wife at the same time, it is called polygyny. When a woman is married to more tha ...
and
veil A veil is an article of clothing or hanging cloth that is intended to cover some part of the human head, head or face, or an object of some significance. Veiling has a long history in European, Asian, and African societies. The practice has be ...
ing. However, when the
1917 Revolution The Russian Revolution was a period of political and social change in Russia, starting in 1917. This period saw Russia abolish its monarchy and adopt a socialist form of government following two successive revolutions and a civil war. It ...
began, due to the absence of a unifying female leader, there was no other women's organization other than the ''Taze Hayat Cemiyet'' ("Fresh Life Society") in
Yalta Yalta (: ) is a resort town, resort city on the south coast of the Crimean Peninsula surrounded by the Black Sea. It serves as the administrative center of Yalta Municipality, one of the regions within Crimea. Yalta, along with the rest of Crime ...
. İsmail Gaspıralı's efforts against the narrow-minded people, who were against the full and equal participation of women in social and political life, yielded results, albeit slowly, but to achieve real success with the support of the society, he needed a female leader, even leaders, who could influence the masses in the way of "women's organization" was needed. Intellectual women and teachers were working in the central organization of women's committees. Şefiqa Gaspıralı was the chief among them. She was trying to encourage women to increase their activities by making contacts. In addition to her, especially İlhamiye Toktar, Ayşe İshak and Hatice Avcı were the names working on this path. Bakhchysarai and Akmescit (
Simferopol Simferopol ( ), also known as Aqmescit, is the second-largest city on the Crimea, Crimean Peninsula. The city, along with the rest of Crimea, is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine, but controlled by Russia. It is considered the cap ...
) branches of these committees were personally led by Şefiqa Gaspıralı. Another duty of Gaspıralı was her membership in the City Council of Bakhchysarai, she was elected.. During this period, she was nominated for the mayor of Bakhchysarai, but he rejected the candidacy due to the intensity of her work.


Leaving Crimea for Azerbaijan

In 1919, Şefiqa Gaspıralı fled under the threat of death from Crimea to Azerbaijan with her two young children. Two years later, the
Azerbaijan Democratic Republic The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (), also known as the Azerbaijan People's Republic (; ), was the first secular democracy, democratic republic in the Turkic peoples, Turkic and Muslim worlds. *Tadeusz Swietochowski. ''Russia and Azerbaijan: ...
was occupied by the
Red Army The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, often shortened to the Red Army, was the army and air force of the Russian Soviet Republic and, from 1922, the Soviet Union. The army was established in January 1918 by a decree of the Council of People ...
. Her husband,
Prime Minister of Azerbaijan The prime minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan () is the head of government of Azerbaijan. The current prime minister is Ali Asadov on 8 October 2019 following the removal of Novruz Mammadov. Due to the central role of the President of Azer ...
Nasib bey Yusifbeyli (in office: 14 April 1919 – 1 April 1920) was shot dead on 31 May 1920. Memduh Şevket (Esendal), the
Baku Baku (, ; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Azerbaijan, largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. Baku is below sea level, which makes it the List of capital ci ...
representative of the
Grand National Assembly of Turkey The Grand National Assembly of Turkey ( ), usually referred to simply as the GNAT or TBMM, also referred to as , in Turkish, is the Unicameralism, unicameral Turkey, Turkish legislature. It is the sole body given the legislative prerogatives by ...
, extends a helping hand to Şefiqa Gaspıralı, who has to escape death for the second time.


Emigration to Turkey

With fake Ottoman identity documents and passport prepared, she emigrated for the last time with her two children on the train, which was also provided by Memduh Şevket, carrying the captive Turkish soldiers and aid ammunition to Turkey. Besides, newspapers and magazines published in Turkish such as ''Tercüman'' (The Translatoré), ''Vakit'' ("The Time"), ''Kazan Muhbiri'' ("The Reporter of Kazan"), ''Burhan-ı Terakki'' ("The Witness of Progress"), ''Ülfet'' ("Familliarity") published in Russia between 1883 and 1920, and in Russian such as ''Kaspi'', ''Golos Tatar'', original letters, leader staff-level political correspondence, congress and meeting minutes, resolutions, conference texts, important clippings, bylaws, regulations, road permits, hotel invoices corresponding to the dates of the congress, declarations, photographs, books, political documents submitted to official authorities. Petitions with content,
Duma A duma () is a Russian assembly with advisory or legislative functions. The term ''boyar duma'' is used to refer to advisory councils in Russia from the 10th to 17th centuries. Starting in the 18th century, city dumas were formed across Russia ...
(Russian Parliament) documents, candidate lists for elections, delegate cards, parliamentary mandates, bills, brochures, invitations, delegate badges, official correspondence of organizations such as the "Muslim Alliance", "Society of Auspice", "Women's Committees", National Council" etc. She also brought a large archive of documents. She lived for 54 years in Turkey, where she came when she was 35, and expanded her archive by enriching the documents she brought with her. To earn a living in Turkey, Şefiqa Gaspıralı first sold a few jewellery heirlooms from her mother. Then, she got a short-term job at a hospital. When she left there, she sewed for a while and took typing lessons. She worked as a director in "Daru'l-eytam" ("Orphanage"; Child Protection Institution). After the closure of the orphanage, she became unemployed again. She even sold her wristwatch due to poverty. Finally, she found a temporary job with a monthly salary of 40 liras. Gaspıralı's three siblings were also in
Istanbul Istanbul is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With Demographics of Istanbul, a population over , it is home to 18% of the Demographics ...
. Her brother Cevdet Mansur, a student at "Darülfünun1 (Istanbul University) stayed in a student dormitory not to be a burden to his sister. Her other brother Haydar Ali, a student at the Medical School, stayed with Şefiqa until his graduation. Her youngest siblings included her sister Nigar, who was married to Süleyman, who was a steward. Her older brother Rifat died in December 1925 in Crimea. Şefiqa Gaspıralı was helpless for his daughter and son-in-law. Şefiqa Gaspıralı continued her social and cultural activities in Turkey. After working as the director of the orphanage and taking an active role in the
Crimean Tatar diaspora The Crimean Tatar diaspora dates back to the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 1783, after which Crimean Tatars emigrated in a series of waves spanning the period from 1783 to 1917. The diaspora was largely the result of the destruction of their s ...
, she founded and chaired the "Kırım Tatar Kadınlar Birliği" ("Crimean Tatar Women's Union") in 1930. Gaspıralı also served in the
Red Crescent The organized International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a humanitarian movement with approximately 16million volunteers, members, and staff worldwide. It was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human ...
("Kızılay") for many years. She also wrote articles for the ''Crimea Magazine'' and ''Emel'' magazine. With her own life, Gaspıralı aimed to publish the Turkish Women's Movement in Russia as a book. Şefiqa Gaspıralı died in Istanbul on 31 August 1975. She was buried at
Zincirlikuyu Cemetery The Zincirlikuyu Cemetery () is a modern burial ground in the European part of Istanbul, Turkey. It is administered by the Metropolitan Municipality. Many prominent figures from the world of politics, business, sports and arts rest here. The ce ...
following the religious service held at
Şişli Mosque The Şişli Mosque () is a mosque located in Şişli Square between the Büyükdere Avenue, the Halaskargazi and Abide-i Hürriyet streets in the Şişli district of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey. Due to lack of any mosque in Şişli, which got in ...
.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaspıralı, Şefiqa 1886 births 1975 deaths People from Bakhchysarai Crimean Tatar journalists Crimean Tatar activists Turkish women's rights activists Crimean Tatar diaspora Russian emigrants to Turkey Naturalized citizens of Turkey Burials at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery Crimean Tatar women writers