Women of Kazakhstan who left their marks on nation’s history
Kazakhstanis respect and remember the women who have made a significant contribution to the development of the country and the nation’s cultural life. Each of them played a key role in the national revival. They were the trailblazers in their fields, achieving success and inspiring others. Kazinform News Agency compiled a list of Kazakh women, who left their giant marks on the nation’s history
Dina Nurpeissova (1861–1955)
Dina Nurpeissova was an outstanding composer and performer of Kazakh kuys. In 1937, she took part in the republican competition of folk performers, and at the age of 75 she became a prize-winner of the first All-Union Contest of Folk Music Performerss. At the age of 83, Dina Nurpeissova became a prizewinner of the Decade of Arts in Tashkent, which brought together participants from Central Asian republics
Gulssum Asfendiyarova (1880-1941)
Gulssum Asfendiyarova was one of the first Kazakh medical professionals. She graduated from Tashkent-based High School for Girls and was the first Kazakh woman to obtain a diploma in medicine. In 1913, she was a chief doctor at the Tashkent Perinatal Center. At a request of the Turkistan Regional Bureau of the Muslims Organization of Tashkent, she opened a school of obstetrics for women.
Akkagaz Doszhanova (1893-1932)
Akkagaz Doszhanova was the first Kazakh woman, women’s rights activist, and teacher. She underwent a medical course in Moscow and studied at the Tomsk Institute of Medicine and at the Faculty of Medicine of the Central Asian State University. Her works in medicine were published in Ayel Tengdigi (Equality of Women), Abai, Zhas Azamat (Young Citizen) magazines. In 1930-1931, she worked as a gynecologist at the Hospital No1 in Almaty. She died of a pulmonary disease at the age of 39.
Khiuaz Dospanova (1922-2008)
Khiuaz Dospanova was the first Kazakh female pilot, who made more than 300 sorties and destroyed enemy’s military equipment and weapon depots. Nicknamed as “Queen of the Sky” and “Night Witch”, she performed combat missions at the Southern Front, in the Northern Caucasus, in Transcaucasia, at the Ukrainian and Belorussian fronts. She was wounded twice in air battles and returned to duty after recovery. She passed away in 2008, at the age of 86.
Kulyash Baisseitova (1912-1957)
Kulyash Baisseitova (real name - Gulbakhram) is a famous Kazakh opera singer. At the age of 24, she was awarded the status of the People’s Artist of the USSR. During the Decade of the Kazakh Art in Moscow in 1936, she was named an outstanding Kazakh figure of art.
Roza Baglanova (1922-2011)
Roza Baglanova was an outstanding Kazakh singer, who greatly contributed to the Kazakh vocal art. During the World War II, she participated in the concerts at the front, and performed at the May 9 Victory Concert in Berlin. She was a soloist at the Abai Kazakh Opera and Ballet Theatre, and at the Kazakh Philharmonics. Her repertoire included songs of Russian, Uzbek, Tajik, Ukrainian, Georgian, Azerbaijani, Kyrgyz, Korean, Polish, Hungarian, Chinese, Mongolian and Indian peoples.
Shara Zhiyenkulova (1912-1991)
Shara Zhiyenkulova was the first Kazakh female dancer, founder of the Kazakh professional dancing art. Nicknamed as Bishi Kyz (Dancing Girl), Shara Zhiyenkulova began her career at the stage of the Kazakh Drama Theatre together with her husband Kurmanbek Zhandarbekov. She starred in Mukhtar Auezov’s “Enlik-Kebek”, “Karakoz” plays and “Amangeldy” film. Shara Zhiyenkulova took part in the Decade of Kazakh Literature and Art held in Moscow in 1936. She also authored “Kazakh Dance” and “Secret of Dance” books.
Nazipa Kulzhanova (1887—1934)
First Kazakh woman-journalist, who raised women’s rights issues in Qazaq, Saryarka, and Alash newspapers. In 1920, she became a member of the Special Commission of the Kazakh ASSR People’s Commissariat for Education. She was responsible for the issues related to publication of Kazakh-language books and textbooks. Later, she became a member of the Committee for Introduction of the New Kazakh Alphabet. She held senior positions at Aikap, Kazak, Alash, Enbekshi Kazak, Kyzyl Kazakhstan newspapers, and Ayel Tengdigi magazine.
Alma Orazbayeva (1898— 1948)
One of the founders of the women’s rights movement in early XX century, well-known statesperson and public activist. She traveled across the Kazakh villages, explained to women their rights, and was actively engaged in teaching them. Alma Orazbayeva made a huge contribution to eliminating illiteracy among Kazakh women, attracting them to work in government bodies and to cultural activities. She was a member of the editorial boards of Ayel Tendigi, Zhas Kazak, Zhas Kairat magazines.
Gulfairus Ismailova(1929 - 2013)
Gulfairus Ismailova is a famous Soviet and Kazakh artist and actress laureate of Platinum Tarlan Prize, author of Kazakh Waltz portrait, which she created in 1970, at the age of 29. The portrait features Kazakh dancer Shara Zhiyenkulova. She starred in “Kyz Zhibek”, “Botagoz” and “Alastalgan Alitet” films.
Balzhan Bultrikova (1921-1998)
The first woman diplomat of Kazakhstan, who held the posts of the first minister of foreign affairs of the Kazakh SSR, minister of social protection, and minister of education. Balzhan Bultrikova headed official delegations of the Soviet Union at the XXI and XXV sessions of the UN General Assembly.
