Women and Nation in the Late 19th to Early 20th Century Narratives of Demetra Vaka Brown and Halide Edib Adivar

Abstract

This thesis offers a comparative analysis of the lives and works of Demetra Vaka Brown and Halide Edib Adivar, two women who navigated the complex socio-cultural and political landscapes of the Ottoman Empire with intellect, and a strong sense of feminist consciousness. Despite differing religious and ethnic backgrounds, both women faced similar societal constraints and engaged in activism that reflected their deep personal commitment to the communities they represented. Vaka Brown, raised in the Greek community of Istanbul, struggled with the traditional values of her upbringing, all while asserting her individuality as a writer and cultural custodian. Her work reflects a dynamic relationship between the Greek spirit she inherited and the independent, critical thinker she became. On the other hand, Halide Edib Adivar, a Muslim Turkish woman, defied patriarchal norms with remarkable influence, advocating for educational reform, social change, and humanitarian work during a period of extreme political turmoil. Adivar’s leadership in her home country and her efforts to empower women and children in different parts of the world highlight her exceptional role in shaping both national and global conversations. The thesis reveals how both women’s narratives challenge conventional gender and national discourses. It emphasizes the need to understand their experiences through a feminist, and an intersectional lens. Vaka Brown and Adivar’s works highlight the importance of women’s voices in shaping national identities. It also highlights how their roles as intellectuals, and writers, transcended the socio-cultural limitations. By critically engaging with the cultural and historical contexts of their time, both women created their own identities, which in turn offered vital perspectives on gender, identity, and nationalism. This study contributes to feminist scholarship by analyzing the overlapping yet distinct experiences of women from different ethnic and religious backgrounds in the Ottoman context. It highlights the significance of women’s stories in challenging the mainstream history and offers new insights into the role of women in shaping national discourse. Finally, it calls for further exploration into the intersection of gender, ethnicity, and nationalism. In this way, it reveals how women continue to play crucial roles in the construction of cultural and historical legacies.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Humanities and Social Science