The "Mother of the Year" in Altındağ, chosen annually as part of Mother's Day celebrations, has been announced this year. Selected from dozens of life stories each year, this year's "Mother of the Year" goes to Nesihet Kılıç, who has raised four champion athletes with great sacrifice.
Nesihet Kılıç, mother of four champion weightlifters (two of whom are national athletes) and a member of the Beşikkaya Women's Education and Culture Center, received the "Mother of the Year" award from Altındağ Mayor Dr. Veysel Tiryaki. Nesihet Kılıç, who attended the Mother's Day program with her children, experienced emotional moments.
"THEY SAID A GIRL COULDN'T LIFT WEIGHTS, BUT MY DAUGHTER BECAME A CHAMPION"
Nesihet Kılıç is a mother of four… the proud mother of four champion athletes… Nesihet Kılıç's life changed after her daughter Ezgi became interested in weightlifting. On one hand, her daughter, who successfully lifted kilograms of weight; on the other, the prejudices of relatives and society… She had to make a decision, and she did. Defying those who said, “A girl can’t lift weights,” she stood by her daughter. Nesihet Kılıç described those days with these words:
“When my daughter started weightlifting, everyone objected strongly. They said, ‘Can a girl be a weightlifter?’ I didn’t listen to anyone. I supported my daughter. And my daughter never let us down. Every time her chosen sport was challenged, she returned home with a new championship. After Ezgi, my other daughter Esra, then my son Ali, and after her older brother, my youngest daughter Nusra also started weightlifting. They all became champions one after another. Medals started pouring into the house. They won numerous Ankara, Turkish, European, and World championships, returning victorious from every competition they entered. No one had anything left to say. I am proud of my children. I will always be by their side.”
“MY WORK AT HOME NEVER ENDS”
Nesihet Kılıç's life revolves around keeping up with her children… She cooks meals for each of them individually, keeps them under control, and watches all their competitions. Although she gets a little tired from the never-ending chores at home, she says that all her tiredness disappears when her children become champions. Kılıç said, “Raising four athletes at home isn't easy. I cook meals for each of them individually. They always want food, they want meat, they want stuffed grape leaves, my work never ends. The four siblings eat 10 loaves of bread a day. When they have competitions, I take them food to the national team camps morning and evening. I try to make sure they eat healthily. The laundry never ends, the ironing never ends. I get tired, but when they become champions, all my tiredness disappears. I'm so happy when they win medals.”
“I LEARNED TO READ AND WRITE, I AM VERY HAPPY”
Nesihet Kılıç, who doesn't neglect herself amidst all her work, realized her dream of learning to read and write thanks to the Beşikkaya Women's Education and Culture Center. Kılıç stated, "I didn't know how to read and write. I couldn't go to school in the village when I was little. I enrolled in the Beşikkaya Women's Education and Culture Center and learned there. Everyone helped me a lot. I attended courses and improved myself." Adding that she was very happy to be chosen as "Mother of the Year" in Altındağ, Kılıç expressed her feelings with the words, "I would like to thank Altındağ Municipality and our Mayor for the value they give to women and mothers. I congratulate all mothers on Mother's Day."
“I CONGRATULATE ALL OUR MOTHERS ON MOTHER'S DAY”
Altındağ Mayor Dr. congratulated Nesihet Kılıç. Veysel Tiryaki said, “Being the mother of four athletes is not easy… I congratulate Nesihet Kılıç both for raising national athletes who have achieved championships, and also for learning to read and write. I celebrate Mother's Day for all mothers, especially the precious mothers who are the legacy of our martyrs.”