Women played a role in every phase of the National Struggle and provided significant support both on and behind the front lines during the country’s occupation. The most comprehensive and well-organized of women’s activities during the National Struggle involved women’s associations, which actively sought to raise public awareness and to communicate the National Forces’ spirit to the populous. The most effective associations of this period were Asri Kadın Cemiyeti (Association of Modern Women) in İstanbul, Hilal-i Ahmer Center for Women, the Women’s Branch of Müdafaa-i Hukuk Cemiyeti (Association for Defense of National Rights) in Anatolia, and the Anatolian Women’s Association for the Defense of the Homeland.

One such women’s Association during the National Struggle, Asri Kadın Cemiyeti, was founded in İstanbul in late 1918 by students and graduates of İnas Darülfünunu. The Association was also supported by notable authors and academics of the period like Halide Edip (Adıvar), Nakiye (Elgün), Nezihe Muhiddin Hanım. The Head of the Association was Darülfünun graduate Naciye Faham Hanım and the Secretary General was Aliye Esad Hanım. Among its members were İstanbul intellectuals like Şukufe Nihal (Başer), Sabahat (Filmer), and Selma Köprülü. Its aims were to educate women physically and mentally and to raise their social status. To achieve this, the Association planned to establish a library, museum, laboratory, and workshops. 

The headquarters of Asri Kadın Cemiyeti was Bilgi Yurdu and most meetings were held in the hall of Malul Gaziler Cemiyeti (Association of the War Wounded), also used as the Central Army Office of Cinema. The Association’s first task was to organize women in the face of the occupations that followed the Armistice of Mudros. The Association took leadership in protesting, holding the first open-air meeting for women in Fatih Tomb on March 19, 1919. Association Head Naciye Feham Hanım delivered a sentimental speech on the perilous situation of the nation. The slogans shouted in this protest, emphasizing the Turkishness of İstanbul and that İstanbul belongs to the Turks, mobilized national sentiment among women. 

Asri Kadın Cemiyeti also sought to engage in cooperative action with other women’s associations in İstanbul against the occupations. It organized a meeting on March 28, 1919, attended by ten women’s associations active in İstanbul. Asri Kadın Cemiyeti also strengthened the spirit of resistance among İstanbul women by participating in the National Congress Association that helped to organize national resistance. The occupation of İzmir by the Greeks on May 15, 1919 deeply affected members of Asri Kadın Cemiyeti. The Association supported protests organized in various neighborhoods of İstanbul under the initiative of Turkish Hearts. Members of the Association showed great interest in the demonstrations both as contributors and as members of the audience in Üsküdar on May 20, 1919, in Kadıköy on May 2, 1919, and in Sultanahmet on May 23, 1919 and January 13, 1920. In open-air meetings held in İstanbul, for the first time women delivered speeches to gatherings of men and women. Naciye Faham Hanım, Sabahat Hanım, and Şukufe Nihal Hanım of Asri Kadın Cemiyeti gave exciting speeches stressing Turkishness. They moved the crowd with speeches emphasizing Muslimism, patriotism, femininity, freedom, motherhood, and martyrdom. They cried out that they were ready to struggle together with men for the integrity of the country and the sovereignty of the nation. 

The Association undertook cultural activities in line with its founding purpose and held training courses for women, including literacy, French, German, and English courses. Asri Kadın Cemiyeti became the representative of modern women in İstanbul and an authority on issues surrounding women’s rights. Most of the members, who were among the first postgraduate women in Turkey, taught at schools and strived to advance the education and rights of women. The Association could take little action after the official occupation of İstanbul on March 16, 1920, but it followed the National Struggle in Anatolia with interest. Indeed, following his victory at the Battle of Sakarya, Commander in Chief Mustafa Kemal Pasha was sent a letter of congratulations signed by Naciye Faham, Head of the Association. While the activities of Asri Kadın Cemiyeti ended in the Republican Period, its members remained active in organizations like the Turkish Women’s Union.  

This study will analyze the activities of Asri Kadın Cemiyeti, which was founded by the students and graduates of İnas Darülfünunu in İstanbul, during the armistice. Particular emphasis will be placed on the periodic importance of the protests led by the Association. The role and importance of women, organized through associations in the face of occupation, in achieving victory in the National Struggle will then be evaluated.