Sabiha Gökçen, Turkey’s first female pilot and the world’s first female combat pilot, was honored in 1996 by the American Air War College as one of “The 20 Aviators Who Made History Worldwide” in recognition of her contributions to aviation history. She was also the adopted daughter of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye.

Sabiha Gökçen was born on March 22, 1913, in Bursa, as the second child of Hafız İzzet Bey and Hayriye Hanım. After losing her father at a young age, her education was supported by her older brother. A turning point in her life occurred in 1925 when she met Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during his visit to Bursa. Upon learning about her life circumstances and recognizing that her family’s financial situation might hinder her education, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk adopted her with her family’s consent and brought her to Istanbul. There, she continued her studies at Üsküdar Girls’ High School.

Due to health problems, Sabiha Gökçen had to interrupt her education and received medical treatment in Heybeliada and Vienna. She later spent time in Paris to improve her French language skills. Her interest in aviation became concrete in 1935 when she enrolled in the Turkish Bird Civil Aviation School (Türkkuşu), operating under the Turkish Aeronautical Association. After successfully completing her training, she was sent to the Koktebel High Glider School in Crimea, where she received six months of advanced glider training.

On February 25, 1936, Sabiha Gökçen completed her first powered flight. At Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s request, she was admitted to the Eskişehir Military Flight School—despite the institution not accepting female students at the time—and received special flight training there between 1936 and 1937.

In 1937, Sabiha Gökçen participated in the Tunceli (Dersim) Military Operation, where she served as an active pilot. Through her role in this operation, she earned the distinction of becoming the world’s first female combat pilot and was awarded the Medal of Honor by the Turkish Aeronautical Association.

In 1938, Sabiha Gökçen undertook a five-day Balkan tour, inspiring women pilots around the world. Between 1938 and 1955, she served as a flight instructor at the Turkish Aeronautical Association. In 1940, she married First Lieutenant Kemal Esiner; however, their marriage ended with his untimely death on January 12, 1943.

Throughout her aviation career, Sabiha Gökçen flew 22 different types of civilian and military aircraft. Her final flight took place in 1996, at the age of 83, during an honorary visit to the United States. She passed away on March 22, 2001, at the Gülhane Military Medical Academy in Istanbul.

The surname “Gökçen,” meaning “belonging to the sky,” was given to Sabiha Gökçen by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on December 19, 1934. Over the course of her life, she made invaluable contributions to Turkish aviation and worked tirelessly to elevate the global status of Turkish women. In recognition of her achievements, she received more than 30 medals, honors, plaques, and badges from institutions including the Turkish Aeronautical Association, the International Aeronautical Federation, the Romanian Army, and the United States.

After Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s death, Sabiha Gökçen left active military service due to the absence of legislation allowing women to serve in the armed forces and was appointed Chief Instructor at the Türkkuşu Flight School, a position she held successfully until 1955. She later served as a member of the Turkish Aeronautical Association’s Board of Directors and continued to inspire generations as a pioneering figure in aviation history.

Source: Biyografiler.com