In my quest to learn more about my adopted country, I often delve into its history books. Events and people of the past played a huge part in the formation of Turkey that we see today. I understand more about the different cultures within the country, if I know the path that generations of their families have followed.<\/p>\n
While learning about the history, it is certain that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk will be mentioned. He was the founder of the country and the Turkey that I know today is credited to him. Not often mentioned though, is his family and more specifically his adopted daughter Sabiha G\u00f6k\u00e7en.<\/p>\n
Her lasting legacy was as the world\u2019s first female fighter pilot but it was a simple twist of fate that set her on that path because Sabiha was not Ataturk\u2019s blood daughter.<\/p>\n
In 1925, he adopted her after a visit to her school in Bursa. Her father had previously been exiled from the country and the lack of a male figure in the family made living conditions hard.<\/p>\n
Her eagerness to continue her education is perhaps what made her stand out among thousands of other children who were also living in poor conditions. The country had just finished fighting the war of independence and many male figures were missing from families.<\/p>\n
Readers who believe in unknown forces within our lives would simply call it her destiny and if this was true, her path was already mapped out for her at the tender age of 12.<\/p>\n
It cannot be said that Sabiha received special treatment because of her connection with Ataturk. She attended the same fighter pilot courses in Ankara and Russia as any other male was required to do so.<\/p>\n
In 1936, at the young age of 23, she was stationed in Eskisehir and various missions earned her a name in the history books. She would carry on flying until 1964 and by then had completed more than 8000 hours of flying time. She also went on to train other females to become fighter pilots.<\/p>\n
![\"TURKEY](\"https:\/\/www.turkeytravelcentre.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/TURKEY-TOURS1.jpg\")
Grand Turkey Tour<\/h2>\n