Nigar Shikhlinskaya
Nigar Shikhlinskaya | |
|---|---|
| File:Nigar Shikhlinskaya in 1889.jpg | |
| Born | Nigar Gayibova 10 October 1871 or 21 March 1878 |
| Died | 15 August 1931 |
| Education | Transcaucasian (Tiflis) Female College |
| Known for | Pioneer of Azerbaijani nursing and local Red Crescent Society |
| Relatives | Farrukh Gayibov Ali Agha Shikhlinski (husband) |
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Nurse |
| Institutions | Red Cross hospital, Western Front of World War I |
| Sub-specialties | Nursing, sanitation |
Nigar Huseyn Afandi gizi Shikhlinskaya, née Gayibova (Azerbaijani: Nigar Hüseyn Əfəndi qızı Şıxlinskaya; October 10, 1871 or March 21, 1878 in Tiflis – August 15, 1931 in Baku) was the first Azerbaijani nurse. She was fluent in several languages, including Russian and French, and served on the Western Front of World War I, where she opened the Red Cross hospital.[1][2] On August 1, 1914 her appeal to women was published in the Russkiy Invalid newspaper. Shikhlinskaya co-ran the Red Cross community, established by officers' wives, until 1918.
Life
The war
On August 2, 1914 Nigar followed Shikhlinski to the Guards' Staff of Petersburg Military District. Some time later Nigar was elected the head of the Ladies' Committee at the Officers' Artillery School. The associated hospital became commonly known as Shikhlinskaya Hospital.[3] Nigar maintained correspondence with her husband in verses, which they dedicated to each other. In his memoirs Shikhlinski recalls that Nigar wrote letters home for wounded soldiers in two foreign languages (apart from Russian) and was referred to as Mom (Mamasha) by the soldiers.[3] In 1916 Nigar's close relative, Farrukh Gayibov, one of the first combat pilots, died in an air battle. On March 10, 1920 Shikhlinski as Deputy Defense Minister of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic founded the Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society, with Nigar becoming the pioneer nurse there. In his memoirs Shikhlinski wrote: "The death of my wife... was a fatal blow for me. Everything has gone away with my wife – both happiness and health". His other quote is "count my death date from Nigar's demise". It is uncertain whether or not Shikhlinskaya had any children. In his article "The Life of General Ali Agha Shikhlinski" Lieutenant Colonel and senior scientific employee Shamistan Nazirli of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry included a photo, made early in the 20th century, where she is said to be with a son.
References
- ↑ Azerbaijani Soviet Encyclopedia (1987), vol. 10, p. 551
- ↑ "Zerkalo" (in русский). Zerkalo.az. October 4, 2008. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Шихлинский А.А. Мои воспоминания (in русский). Grwar.ru. Retrieved 2009-03-20.