WOMEN’S POWER IN BURSA TURNED INTO A CHAIN OF GOODNESS AT THE RAMADAN TABLE
Women representing the business world and civil society in Bursa came together at the “Ramadan at the Same Table with Women’s Solidarity” iftar organized on the occasion of March 8, International Women’s Day. With the income generated from the night organized in cooperation with five strong women’s NGOs, support was provided for an iftar table for 1,000 people to be established for those in need and for the education of female engineering students.
Five leading women’s civil society organizations in Bursa brought together International Women’s Day on March 8 and the spirit of sharing of the month of Ramadan in a meaningful organization. The iftar program, organized in cooperation with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) Bursa Women Entrepreneurs Board operating under the coordination of Bursa Commodity Exchange, the Bursa Businesswomen and Executives Association (BUİKAD), the Association of All Women Engineers (TÜMKAD), Bursa Soroptimist Club and Uludağ Soroptimist Club, was a strong example of women’s solidarity. The iftar program held at Villa Verde brought together the spirit of sharing and solidarity of the month of Ramadan with the unity of women.
Sinoplu: “We Are Women Who Shape Change”
Sedef Sinoplu, President of Bursa Soroptimist Club, one of the hosts of the program, emphasized in her speech, which she began by stating that they are a volunteer movement aiming for the best for women, that improving the lives of women and girls is their primary goal. Expressing that the future of society depends on the education of girls, Sinoplu said, “When a girl is educated, not only her own life but the future of a society changes. When women act together, cities develop; when they take part in production, the economy becomes stronger. Today, we are not only celebrating a day here. At the same time, we are coming together to make women’s future journey stronger. Because we are not only women who speak, but women who shape change,” drawing attention to the transformative power of women’s solidarity.
“We Grow the Light of Women with the Spirit of Sisterhood”
Hanife Yeşil, President of Uludağ Soroptimist Club, reminded that March 8 is not only a celebration but also a day of awareness for women and girls to live a free and dignified life. Emphasizing that Soroptimists act with the spirit of sisterhood, Yeşil said, “We work to reveal the potential of our women through education, equal opportunity and solidarity. This picture displayed here today is the most valuable example of how strong and transformative women’s solidarity is. Our aim is to grow the light of women together for a more equal and hopeful future.”
Strong Support for Future Women Engineers
Ülfet Öztürk, Chairman of the Board of TÜMKAD, who spoke at the event, emphasized that women are great producers of value in every field from engineering to entrepreneurship. Referring to the words of the Founder of our Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, “Everything we see in the world is the work of women,” Öztürk shared the most meaningful good news of the night and said: “With the valuable support of our Bursa Commodity Exchange Chairman of the Board Mr. Özer Matlı, thanks to the donation made on behalf of each of our guests present here today, the one-year scholarship of our young female engineering candidates will be covered within the scope of our TÜMKAD & TEV Bursa Fund. This meaningful support will not only contribute to the educational journey of our students, but will also make a strong contribution to the training of future women engineers. I sincerely thank Mr. Özer Matlı for this meaningful support.”
Şeyda Şençayır: “When Women Stand Side by Side, a City Rises”
Şeyda Şençayır, Chairman of the Board of BUİKAD, underlined in her speech that women’s solidarity is not only a preference but a social responsibility. Emphasizing that equality is not a privilege but a right, Şençayır said, “As women of the Republic, we not only take pride in the past, but also build the future. Because we, as women, have been the founding force of life throughout history. Today, we are not only sharing a meal here; we are sharing vision, responsibility and hope. If women grow stronger, the economy grows stronger; when women support each other, the future changes. When we come together, not only a table is filled, but an entire city rises.” Şençayır also thanked all supporters, stating that the iftar meal for 1,000 people to be provided at the Gönül Sofrası Soup Kitchen with the donations of the participants is a concrete reflection of women’s solidarity turning into goodness.
Sabriye Şen: “Goodness Grows as It Multiplies”
Sabriye Şen, Chairwoman of the Executive Committee of TOBB Bursa Women Entrepreneurs Board, expressed her happiness in bringing together the power of women’s solidarity and the abundance of Ramadan at the same table. Şen said, “Today, we are here not only to share an iftar table; we are together to demonstrate the power of women’s solidarity and that goodness grows as it multiplies. Sometimes the strongest bonds, the most sincere conversations and the most meaningful solidarities begin at the same table. I wish that the solidarity, sharing and goodness that brought us together at the same table on this meaningful night will grow by multiplying.”
Women’s Solidarity Becomes Hope for the Future
Reminding the value that women’s unity around common values adds to society, Şen said, “The stronger presence of women in production, entrepreneurship and social life is of great importance for the future of our country.” Şen also announced that, in addition to the iftar support to be provided with a portion of the income to be obtained during the night, Bursa Commodity Exchange will also provide additional scholarship support to female engineering students by making an extra contribution on behalf of each guest attending this meaningful program, and said, “I would like to thank the esteemed Chairman of the Board of Bursa Commodity Exchange, Mr. Özer Matlı, who coordinates our Board, as well as our Board of Directors and Assembly Members, for this meaningful support given to the education and future of women.”
“The Power of Women is the Foundation of Economic Development”
Özer Matlı, Chairman of the Board of Bursa Commodity Exchange (Bursa TB), who attended the night and supported the solidarity of women leaders, emphasized Bursa’s culture of production and civil society. Stating that Bursa is a model city in every field, Matlı said, “The unity we see here this evening is a beautiful reflection of Bursa’s spirit of solidarity. The stronger participation of women in production, industry, education and entrepreneurship is one of the most important factors not only for individual achievements but also for increasing the economic development and prosperity of our country.”
Double Scholarship Good News for Female Engineering Students from Chairman Matlı
Expressing that they always prioritize education as Bursa Commodity Exchange, Özer Matlı also shared the following important support during the night: “With this understanding, as Bursa Commodity Exchange, in addition to the scholarship support we will provide for the education of our female engineering candidate students, I am also very pleased to personally undertake a scholarship support of the same amount this evening on behalf of my wife Şahika Matlı. Contributing to the education of our young girls is the most valuable investment that can be made in the future of our country. We will always continue to stand by our women so that they can take a stronger place in business life.”
An Inspiring Talk with Author Canan Ekinci Yılmaz
Following the iftar program, guest author Canan Ekinci Yılmaz provided enjoyable and inspiring moments for the attendees with her talk. The conversation on women’s stories and the socially transformative power of solidarity was followed with great interest by the participants.
