Kara Fatma

Milli Mücadele’s female heroes include Fatma Seher Erden, a figure who commanded military units for her homeland. Her life and struggle hold great historical significance under the nickname “Kara Fatma.”

Who Was Kara Fatma?

^【1】Born as Fatma Seher in 1888 in Erzurum, Fatma Seher Erden traveled to Anatolia after the occupation of Turkish lands began and met with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Sivas. She expressed her determination to join the war and received permission to serve in the military.

Kara Fatma'yı temsil eden görsel (Yapay zeka ile oluşturulmuştur)

The Nickname “Kara Fatma”

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk bestowed upon Fatma Seher the nickname “Kara Fatma” in recognition of her bravery. This name symbolized her courage and fearlessness. Fatma Seher Erden, one of the first Turkish female officers to attain rank during the National Struggle, began her military service as a corporal and rose to the rank of first lieutenant.

Activities on the Front

^【2】During the war, Kara Fatma commanded a military unit of approximately 350 soldiers. Riding her horse named Ceylan, she participated in numerous operations to liberate regions from Sakarya to Afyon. Despite being captured by enemy forces, she refused to provide any information and managed to escape after 19 days, returning to resume command of her unit.

Kara Fatma'yı temsil eden görsel (Yapay zeka ile oluşturulmuştur)

Philanthropy and Death

After the war, she donated her salary to the Turkish Red Crescent, stating, “I fulfilled my duty for my homeland.” ^【3】Known for her selflessness, Fatma Seher Erden passed away in Istanbul in 1955.