This year marks the 10th anniversary of TWI.
It was in 2008 that Sema Basol took the first steps in achieving her dream of making a positive difference for young women in Turkey. Together with co-founder Dr. Jeanne Nidorf, they developed and launched the unique Sparks Program for university women of modest means.
Women make up almost half the population of Turkish university student bodies, yet large numbers drop out of school and/or the workplace early. With emphasis on developing leadership and self-confidence, Sparks programs enable women to actively make positive changes in their professions, lives, and communities.
There are now close to 300 Sparks graduates who have touched the lives of thousands of others through the social change projects that spring from the “learning by doing” leadership model. Ten years later and counting, TWI continues to seek innovative ways to create change by supporting young women in achieving their dreams.
Our Mission
The mission of Turkish Women’s Initiative is to promote leadership, educational opportunities, economic independence and civic engagement of girls and women.
Our aim is to strengthen the potential of girls and women to become active, responsible and productive members of their societies. In so doing, we are helping to advance a society’s growth and prosperity through the full contributions of its women.