TAWSF holds several fundraising events each year, focusing on medical, cultural, historical, global, or social topics. These receptions provide an opportunity to hear interesting talks or music, and to meet people interested in Turkey. There is a modest admission charge; additional donations are encouraged and gratefully accepted.
Our past events have included:
Women of Science
We had a rare opportunity to learn about the outstanding work of three accomplished Turkish women of science, Dr. Hayat Önyüksel, professor of Pharmaceutics and Bioengineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago; Dr. Hande Özdinler, assistant professor of Neurology and founding director of the Les Turner ALS Laboratory II at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine; and Dr. Handan Acar, postdoctoral researcher in the Institute for Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago. Dr. Önyüksel’s research is in the area of targeted drug delivery. She uses lipid-based nano carriers to develop nanomedicines with improved drug solubility, stability, and safety. Dr. Özdinler’s research allows visualization and cellular analysis of corticospinal motor neurons, the neurons that are responsible for the initiation and modulation of motor function in our bodies. Dr. Acar’s main focus is designing and developing peptide-based therapeutic and diagnostic agents for cancer treatment using programmable self-assembling peptide engineering.
Dr. Hayat Önyüksel
Dr. Hande Özdinler
Dr. Handan Acar
The Middle East and Tunisia: The View of an Observer
We had a rare opportunity to hear what is going on in Tunisia. Tunisia has been described as “the last, best hope for the Arab Spring.” Joe Yackley, PhD, on assignment in Tunisia, reviewed events since the 2011 Jasmine Revolution and discussed what makes Tunisia unique. Dr. Yackley received a PhD in Ottoman History and Economics at the University of Chicago.
The Honorable Onur Sayin and his Kanun bid farewell to Chicago: History, Harmony, Captivating Sound
The Honorable Onur Sayın was Deputy Consul General of Turkey in Chicago starting in 2010. An accomplished kanun player since his early teens, he has performed for non-profit organizations throughout the Chicago area. This beautiful concert took place at the Turkish Consulate. TAWSF is grateful for the support of the Honorable Fatih Yıldız, Consul General of Turkey in Chicago.
'Ecotopia' Screening
The Turkish film “Ecotopia” was shown Sept 7, 2013, at the Gene Siskel Film Center. “Ecotopia” was the first (and funniest) of the four movies shown during Chicago’s second annual Turkish Film Series. The film, written and directed by Yüksel Aksu, was awarded Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best New Actress (Ayşe Bosse) at the 2012 Ankara International Film Festival. Supporters of TAWSF attended a pre-show reception hosted by TAWSF and then viewed the film.
The Tulip Period (1718 – 1730): The Second Great Age of Ottoman Art and Culture
Michael Milgrim, PhD (University of Pennsylvania), discussed this captivating Ottoman period and its treasures. While living in Turkey between 1970 and 1974, Dr. Milgrim conducted research on Ottoman-Russian Relations 1877-78 and the War Indemnity Problem at the Ottoman Archives in Istanbul. He was an assistant professor at the former Pahlavi University in Iran from 1974 to 1979. He speaks Turkish and Persian.
Old Town School of Folk Music Concert: A Bouquet of Jasmine (Bir Demet Yasemin)
The Turkish American Cultural Alliance (TACA), Old Town School of Folk Music, and Turkish American Women’s Scholarship Fund (TAWSF) proudly presented a benefit concert featuring Turkish classical and folk music performed by the TACA Turkish Classical Music Choir and Music Ensemble with Lamajamal and guest clarinetist Jim Stoynoff. Raffle prizes included a free Turkish Airlines ticket to Turkey.
The TACA Turkish Classical Music Choir was founded in 2007 to preserve and promote Turkish culture through the universal language of music. The group has performed in many venues throughout Chicago and the Midwest, including the Chicago Turkish Festival. Turkish culture is unique in the world in that it has influenced and been influenced in return by cultures and civilizations from China to Vienna and from the Russian steppes to North Africa for over a millennium. Turkish music, with its variety of instruments and broad musical repertoire, reflects this unparalleled cultural richness and diversity, and remains mostly shaped by its roots in the Middle East, Anatolia and the Balkans, the cradle of many civilizations for at least twelve thousand years.
