Turkish Pioneer: Belkıs Şevket, First Woman to Fly in a Plane
Belkıs Şevket, a trailblazer during the Ottoman era, made history as the first Turkish woman to fly in an airplane, marking a significant milestone in Turkish aviation and women's participation in it[1][2]. Despite some discrepancies in the exact flight date and detailed circumstances, her flight is widely recognised as one of the earliest instances of a Turkish woman taking to the skies, symbolising the breaking of gender barriers in aviation.
Her pioneering flight took place in the early 20th century, a period when both aviation and women's roles in Turkish society were rapidly evolving. By daring to fly, Belkıs Şevket challenged prevailing social norms which typically limited women's public roles and mobility in that era. This act had a profound symbolic impact, inspiring greater acceptance of women in aviation and encouraging subsequent generations of Turkish women to pursue careers in the field[1][2].
The broad impact of her historic flight on Turkish society was significant in advancing women's emancipation and visibility in technological and scientific domains traditionally dominated by men. It propelled the idea that women could actively contribute to and innovate within the rapidly developing aviation industry. Her legacy helped pave the way for female aviators in Turkey, such as the first female Turkish Airlines pilot in more recent times[3].
The flight, organised by the "Association for the Defense of Women's Rights" in Istanbul, attracted significant attention, leading to the breaking of many taboos and the opening of opportunities for Turkish women in aviation. The event, which took place on December 13, 1913, according to the academic article titled "THE FIRST FLYING WOMAN ON ISTANBUL SKYLINES: MRS. BELKIS ŞEVKET", was initially delayed due to intermittent rain on December 12, 1913[4].
Following her groundbreaking flight, a cologne named "Belkıs Cologne Water" was released[5]. The photographs of her flight were exhibited in the military museum, further immortalising her achievement. Belkıs Şevket was an active member of the association and a writer for the magazine "Kadınlar Dünyası" - "Women's World", which the association published[6].
In summary, Belkıs Şevket's flight was a pioneering event that served both as a catalyst for social change regarding women's roles in Turkey and a foundational moment in the engagement of women with the aviation industry[1][2][3]. Her daring flight broke many taboos, including women flying and becoming pilots, and opened doors for future generations of Turkish women to pursue careers in aviation.
[1] https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/aboutus/history/first-female-pilot/ [2] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315150134_THE_FIRST_FLYING_WOMAN_ON_ISTANBUL_SKYLINES_MRS_BELKIS_S%C3%B6VKET [3] https://www.womeninturkey.com/belkis-sevket/ [4] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315150134_THE_FIRST_FLYING_WOMAN_ON_ISTANBUL_SKYLINES_MRS_BELKIS_S%C3%B6VKET [5] https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/aboutus/history/first-female-pilot/ [6] https://www.womeninturkey.com/belkis-sevket/
Aviation pioneers, such as Belkıs Şevket, utilized emerging technology to break gender barriers and inspire subsequent generations. Her flight in the early 20th century, a landmark event in Turkish aviation, symbolized women's increasing visibility and contributions to technological and scientific domains.
