Behice Boran, an academic and politician who played a significant role in the institutionalization of socialist thought in Türkiye, was the first woman to serve as general chair of the Workers’ Party of Türkiye. Boran gained recognition for her academic work in sociology and contributed to the development of leftist thought in the post–World War II period. Due to her political activism, she was removed from academia and subsequently became actively involved in politics. As a member of parliament and general chair of the Workers’ Party of Türkiye (TİP), she championed social justice and labor policies. Throughout her life, she never compromised her beliefs and was arrested multiple times and forced into exile during various periods.

Education and Academic Career

Behice Boran, born in 1910 in Bursa, completed her education at the American College for Girls in Istanbul and continued her studies in the United States. After earning her doctorate in sociology from the University of Michigan, she returned to Türkiye and taught sociology at the Faculty of Language, History and Geography of Ankara University. In the 1940s, she was removed from the university due to her socialist views.

Political Activities and the Workers’ Party of Türkiye

In the 1950s, Boran actively participated in the Türkiye Society of Peace Lovers. She was arrested in 1953 as a result of these activities. In 1965, she was elected as a member of parliament representing the Workers’ Party of Türkiye. In parliamentary work, she emphasized issues of workers’ rights, equality and peace. In the 1970s, she was elected general chair of the TİP. After the 1980 coup, the party was dissolved and a new arrest warrant was issued against Behice Boran.

Years of Exile and Death

After the 1980 coup, Boran was forced to leave Türkiye and spent the final years of her life in Belgium. She died in exile in 1987. Her funeral was held in Istanbul with large public attendance, and her body was brought back to Türkiye for burial.