Women change history every day, inspiring us to achieve new feats. One such woman is Nazipa Kulzhanova. As the first female journalist, translator, and teacher, she reached great heights through hard work, intelligence, and integrity. She aimed to influence and inspire women of her time through her articles
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Women change history every day, inspiring us to achieve new feats. One such woman is Nazipa Kulzhanova. As the first female journalist, translator, and teacher, she reached great heights through hard work, intelligence, and integrity. She aimed to influence and inspire women of her time through her articles.
Nazipa Kulzhanova was born on July 27, 1887, in the city of Torgay. She attended a Russian school founded by Ybyrai Altynsarin and later continued her education at a women's gymnasium, graduating with honors. From an early age, she demonstrated determination and diligence, assisting teachers and eventually becoming a teacher herself.
During Nazipa's lifetime, Kazakh traditions dictated strict obedience to parents. Defying them was unthinkable. Her parents, who were poor, had chosen a husband for her at a young age and had already received a bride price. Nazipa refused to marry without love, which meant the bride price had to be returned.
Since her parents couldn't afford this, she sought help from the military governor of the region, successfully resolving the issue.
Nazipa found true love in 1902 with Nurgali Kulzhanov, who was a teacher at the time. They married and moved to Semipalatinsk (Semey) three years later.. This city, the birthplace of the great poet Abai Kunanbaev, held a special place in her heart as she was a great admirer of his work. In 1914, to mark the tenth anniversary of the poet's death, she organized several memorial evenings where she recited his poetry. Around this time, Nazipa began her political activities and writing articles.
Her initial works were published in magazines such as "Kazakh," "Aikap," "Saryarka," "Kyzyl Kazakhstan," and "Ayel Tenligi." In her articles, she openly discussed societal issues facing women, the role of women in the family, and public life.
“Women are the mothers of the people. Only educated, skilled, and free women can elevate their nation to the level of advanced peoples,” Nazipa wrote in one of her articles.
In 1917, Nazipa participated in the Congress of Kazakhs of the Semipalatinsk region. In 1920, she joined the Commission of the People's Commissariat of Education of the Kazakh Autonomous Republic to prepare textbooks, books, and publishing matters. She was known as one of the key figures in developing the Kazakh alphabet.
In 1922, when Saken Seifullin became the editor of the newspaper "Enbekshi Kazakh," he invited Nazipa to join the editorial team, and she became one of the newspaper's contributors.
As an educator of Kazakh women, Nazipa believed in the necessity of education for women and advanced the women's movement in society and politics. She was also one of the organizers of the first Congress of Eastern Women.
She quickly gained authority and became one of the well-known authors. She authored books such as "Traditional Upbringing in School" and "Parenting Mother and Child," which remain relevant today.
During these years, she frequently consulted and interacted with prominent figures such as Saken Seifullin, Beimbet Mailin, Mukhtar Auezov, Sabit Mukanov, Gabit Musrepov, Moldagali Moldabayev, and Amangeldy Segizbayev.
In 1929, Nazipa was forced to retire from public creative work due to health issues, although archival materials indicate that her health was deteriorating, it appears she faced criticism for associating with Alash Orda members.
In March 1934, Nazipa Kulzhanova passed away in Almaty after a prolonged and severe illness. Her legacy as a journalist, educator, and advocate for women's rights continues to inspire future generations.
Our hero
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