Nurten Yontar

Nurten Yontar: Turkey's First Woman Journalist

Early Life and Career

Nurten Yontar was born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1916. She attended the American College for Girls and began her journalism career in 1935 at the age of 19.

Yontar's early work focused on social issues, particularly the rights of women and children. She also wrote about education and health, advocating for improvements in both areas.

Trailblazing Achievements

In 1938, Yontar became the first woman to work as a reporter for a major Turkish newspaper, Cumhuriyet. This was a significant milestone for women in journalism in Turkey.

Yontar continued to break barriers throughout her career. In 1950, she became the first woman to serve as editor-in-chief of a Turkish newspaper, Son Posta.

Legacy and Impact

Nurten Yontar's pioneering work paved the way for other women to pursue careers in journalism in Turkey. She was a role model for generations of aspiring journalists and helped to shape the landscape of Turkish media.

Yontar died in Istanbul in 2006 at the age of 90. She is remembered as a trailblazing journalist who made significant contributions to Turkish society.

Additional Information

Here are some additional details about Nurten Yontar:

• She was a member of the Turkish Journalists' Association and the International Federation of Journalists.
• She received several awards for her work, including the Sedat Simavi Journalism Award in 1960.
• Yontar was also active in politics, serving as a member of the Turkish Parliament from 1973 to 1977.