November 10, 2005

Today, as we commemorate the 67^th anniversary of the passing of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Daughters of Ataturk would like to dedicate the 2005 Women of Distinction Awards to the countless young women who have lost their lives in senseless “honor killings,” both in Turkey and across the globe, the price these innocent victims have paid at the hands of their families.  No community or family honor shall be or can be cleansed by these killings.  It is time that we educate our nation and ourselves that the value of human life, be it a man or a woman, is priceless.

Daughters of Ataturk awards were created soon after the inception of Daughters of Ataturk in April 1999 to publicly acknowledge the contributions of the International Turkish Women.  Daughters of Ataturk seeks to honor the best and the brightest women who have contributed to the promotion of Turkish women.  Daughters of Ataturk is proud to announce the recipients of the Seventh Annual Women of Distinction Awards. 

DAUGHTERS OF ATATURK’S WOMEN OF DISTINCTION AWARDS FOR 2005 

• The Late Aliye Ak, New York
• Serfinaz Altun, Turkey
• Nese Basaran-Akgul, Washington
• Semra Batik, Australia
• Yildiz Bayazitoglu, Texas
• Aslihan Biyikoglu, Washington
• Sibel Blau, Washington
• Lydia Borland, Washington, DC
• Sibel Cayir, California
• Neva Ciftcioglu, Texas
• Michelle Deniz Drouse, California
• Nur Erkoc, Canada
• Alanur Fisch, California
• Feray Girgin, New York
• Canan Gullu, Turkey
• Sevim Onen, Canada
• Mihrimah Ozkan, California
• Tiraje Guneyman Ruckman, Ohio
• Aysel Sanderson, Washington
• Karen Gerson Sarhon, Turkey
• The late Mary Lee Settle, Virginia
• Nevzer Stacey, Washington, DC
• Handan Telimen, North Carolina
• Birgul Tuzlali, North Carolina
• Zehra Unver, California
• Nancy Wittler, California
• Yildiz Yagci, Maryland
• Neriman Yuce, Texas
• Leyla Yuksel, Australia

DAUGHTERS OF ATATURK’S MEN OF OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENT AWARDS FOR 2005 

This is a very special year for Daughters of Ataturk as, in conjunction with Sons of Ataturk, we shall be honoring International Turkish Men, foreign spouses of Turkish women as well as non-Turkish men for their outstanding achievements and/or contributions to Turkish culture.  It is with great pleasure that we announce the first recipients of this award.

• Bill Alli, Washington, DC
• Selim Amado, Israel
• Suleyman Ari, California
• Yavuz Atila, California
• Bulent Basol, California
• Alp Berker, Indiana
• Metin Camcigil, Washington, DC
• Cemal Elmas, Switzerland
• Orhan Gurbuz, California
• Haluk Keskiner, North Carolina
• Ergun Kirlikovali, California
• Ozgur Madak, Washington, DC
• Karahan Mete, California
• Emin Pamucak, North Carolina
• John Safyurtlu, California
• Kufi Seydali, Austria
• Ahmet Toprak, California
• Kaya Tuncer, California
• The late Stephane Yerasimos, France

DAUGHTERS OF ATATURK’S TURKISH HERITAGE AWARDS FOR 2005

Daughters of Ataturk recognizes the enormous potential and impact that the International Turkish students would have to further the cause of Turkish Heritage.  They are the future of our culture and have a great role to play in the development of Turkish awareness around the globe.  The Turkish Heritage awards were created in 2003. 

• Alp Atik, Australia
• Tansu Cogur, Australia
• Sebnem Kimyacioglu, California
• Yasemin Kimyacioglu, California
• Kathryn D. Kravich, Washington

DAUGHTERS OF ATATURK’S SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS FOR 2005

Daughters of Ataturk’s Special Recognition awards were created in 2003 in commemoration of the 65^th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s death to publicly acknowledge the contributions of organizations that contribute to Turkish causes and promotion of Turkey within the global community. 

• Bridge to Turkiye Fund (BTF), North Carolina
• Intercollegiate Turkish Students Society (ITSS), Washington, DC
• The Light Millennium, New York
• Los Angeles Turkish American Association (LATAA), California
• Orange County Turkish American Association (OCTAA), California

DAUGHTERS OF ATATURK’S VISION AND COURAGE
 AWARD FOR 2005

Vision and Courage Award was created by Daughters of Ataturk on November 10, 2005, to honor those who have the vision and courage to do something that has not been done before and who have demonstrated vision, leadership, hard work, commitment, confidence, innovation and professionalism. It is with great pleasure that we announce the first recipient of this award.

• Ulker Aksu, Florida

DAUGHTERS OF ATATURK’S BEHRAM KURSUNOGLU SCIENCE
AWARDS FOR 2005

Behram Kursunoglu Science Award was created by Daughters of Ataturk on October 25, 2004, the first anniversary of the passing away of Dr. Kursunoglu to honor International Turkish scientists. The Turkish scientists are honored and proudly recognized for giving their expertise to the International community and who have demonstrated vision, leadership, hard work, commitment, confidence, innovation and professionalism. Dr. Behram Kursunoglu was a Turkish physicist and one of the founders of the Center for Theoretical Studies at the University of Miami, Florida.  He was best known for his works on unified field theory, energy and global issues.  This year’s recipients are also recipients of Women of Distinction awards.

• Neva Ciftcioglu, Texas
• Mihrimah Ozkan, California

DAUGHTERS OF ATATURK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2005

Year after year there are people who continue to work diligently, relentlessly and graciously to further the advancement of Turkish people.  Daughters of Ataturk has recognized these people in the past but we continue to be thankful to them for their continuous  contributions. 

• Oya Bain

• Meltem Birkegren
• Bonnie Joy Kaslan

• Demetra Mustafoglu

Daughters of Ataturk thanks and honors these outstanding people and congratulates the 2005 awardees on their achievements and extends our good wishes.  These awards are in tribute to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who valued Turks from all backgrounds and gender above all else.  We hope that they will attain even greater heights and make a difference just as Mustafa Kemal Ataturk did. 

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk would have been proud of our awardees. 

Sincerely,

Sema Karaoglu
Founder
Daughters_of_Ataturk@yahoo.com

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