Today in History – 16 December

The First Women’s Economics Exhibition is opened

Organized by İsmetpaşa Institute for Girls, the “Women’s Economics Exhibition” was opened with the participation of Prime Minister İsmet İnönü on December 16, 1932. Comprised of works by students studying various crafts at the Institute, the exhibition demonstrated how women could contribute towards the economy through home production. Newspapers announced the importance of the exhibition as follows:

The exhibition of İsmetpaşa Institute for Girls is a lovely example of women’s role in the cause for national economy and how this cause can successfully enter the Turkish household alongside the most modern way of living. It is possible to see at the exhibition the modern household techniques, the secrets of lowering the cost of family life, and how Turkish women can sustain and help develop national industry and production by using local products.

The exhibition was comprised of six sections. The first section included clothes tailored at home, the second section displayed the activities of the National Economics and Savings Association, the third demonstrated nutritious foods and modern household techniques to benefit from them, the fourth concentrated on childcare, the fifth showed home economics, and the sixth instructed ways to build a modern and economical home.

A sign at the exhibition encouraged visitors to engage in similar activities:

These works have been executed during leisure times while having fun. You too can work this way. The doors of the Institute are open to all that are willing to learn.