Born: Around 1900 (Seydiler district of Kastamonu Vilayet, Turkey)
Died: December 1921 (Kastamonu Barracks, Turkey)
Biography:
Şerife Bacı (literally: Sister Şerife), aka Şerife Kadın for Mrs. Şerife, was a Turkish folk heroine who played a significant role in the Turkish War of Independence. Her martyrdom during the war led to her being declared a national symbol of courage and sacrifice. Born around 1900 in a village in the Seydiler district of Kastamonu Vilayet, Şerife Bacı’s exact birth date is unknown. At the age of sixteen, she entered into marriage just two months before the outbreak of World War I.
Tragedy struck Şerife Bacı’s life when her husband was recruited and sent off to fight in the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915. Six months later, she received the devastating news of her husband’s death. The villagers, sympathetic to her situation, arranged her remarriage to Topal Yusuf, a wounded war veteran who had lost his left leg and an eye during a bomb explosion at the frontlines. Despite the challenges they faced as a couple, they found strength in their union.
In the third year of her second marriage, Şerife Bacı gave birth to a daughter named Elif. Known for her helpful nature, Şerife Bacı became a beloved figure in her village, always lending a hand to those in need. Her selflessness and dedication to serving her community earned her the affectionate title of Bride Şerife.
In the winter of 1921, as the Greco-Turkish War raged on, Şerife Bacı and other villagers were called upon to transport ammunition desperately needed for the Turkish forces. She embarked on a dangerous journey, accompanied by her child and other women, as they carried cannonballs on an oxen-driven tumbrel from İnebolu to Ankara. Tragically, Şerife Bacı succumbed to the harsh winter conditions and was found dead shortly before reaching the Kastamonu Barracks in December 1921.
Şerife Bacı’s immense sacrifice and devotion to her country did not go unnoticed. In recognition of her bravery, a memorial relief was erected in her honor by the district mayor of Seydiler in 1973, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Republic. Furthermore, a monument depicting Atatürk, Şerife Bacı, and the women of Kastamonu in the War of Independence was placed in the Republic Square of the city in 1990 by Tankut Öktem.
A monument dedicated to Martyr Şerife Bacı was also erected in İnebolu’s public park, commissioned by the General Commander of the Gendarmerie Aytaç Yalman and created by sculptor Metin Yurdanur. This monument pays homage to Şerife Bacı and symbolizes the heroic spirit of Turkish women during the War of Independence. Numerous institutions, including schools and hospitals, bear her name not only in Kastamonu but also in other cities throughout Turkey.
In February 2012, twelve women from Kastamonu retraced the arduous 105-kilometer (65-mile) journey from İnebolu to Kastamonu in just three days, braving winter conditions to commemorate Şerife Bacı’s deadly trek 91 years ago. This act of remembrance stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Şerife Bacı, a woman who played a vital role in Turkey’s fight for independence.