"Cumhuriyet’in Öncü Kadınları" Exhibition Meets Art Enthusiasts in Ankara

Supported by Açık Holding and created in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Republic, the "Cumhuriyet’in Öncü Kadınları" exhibition has now opened its doors to art lovers in Ankara.

After its initial launch on October 27 in Istanbul, the exhibition is now being showcased at the Doğan Taşdelen Contemporary Arts Center in Ankara. The opening ceremony was attended by Taner Düvenci, Vice Chairman of the Board of Açık Holding, exhibition curator and author Özlem Özdemir, as well as distinguished guests and invitees. The exhibition offers a chronological overview of Atatürk’s perspective on women, the history of Turkish women’s rights, and the comprehensive biographies of 20 pioneering women.

A Three-Part Exhibition Showcasing the Stories of Women Who Rose with the Republic

The exhibition is divided into three sections:

• The first section provides a chronological narrative of Atatürk’s views on women, highlighting how his perspective evolved from his youth to his presidency. It also compares the progress of Turkish women’s rights with that of other countries.
• The second section delves into the biographies of 20 pioneering women, integrating their stories with photographs to illustrate their groundbreaking achievements.
• The final section pays tribute to 100 women who paved the way for future generations, acknowledging their contributions through a dedicated publication.

The carefully curated selection includes trailblazing figures from diverse fields, celebrating their achievements and contributions to society.

"I Hope Young Women Understand How Fortunate We Are."

Speaking about the exhibition’s expansion into Anatolia, curator Özlem Özdemir expressed her hopes of bringing it to more cities:

"We dream of taking this exhibition to other parts of Turkey as well. This is a historic exhibition. The first section presents Atatürk’s views on women chronologically, featuring a special collection of his words emphasizing their importance from his youth to his presidency. In the second section, we show how the Republic granted Turkish women their full rights—often before many other countries. I’ve also prepared a timeline comparing women’s rights globally, helping visitors realize just how fortunate we are. I particularly want young girls to understand the privilege of these rights.

The third section provides detailed biographies of 20 women who were the first in their fields, allowing visitors to learn about their journeys up close. Lastly, in our final tribute, we acknowledge 100 women who have cleared the path for us. Sharing their names is an honor, as we say, ‘We follow in your footsteps, and we have not forgotten you.’”

"This Project is of Great Importance to Us"

Taner Düvenci, Vice Chairman of the Board at Açık Holding, also emphasized the significance of the project:

"Açık Holding is a corporate entity operating across various sectors in both domestic and international markets. While we contribute to our country’s economy through our human resources, we also take great pride and joy in supporting social responsibility projects like this one.

This exhibition reflects our commitment to equality and inclusivity. It perfectly aligns with the vision of our great leader, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, showcasing the remarkable achievements of Turkish women. I extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to this exhibition and assure you that we will continue to support similar initiatives in the future."

The "Cumhuriyet’in Öncü Kadınları" exhibition will be open to visitors free of charge until March 18 at the Doğan Taşdelen Contemporary Arts Center’s Füreya Koral Exhibition Hall.

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