I. Introduction This master’s thesis represents study of female newspaper and magazine editors in Azerbaijan based on Western and Soviet definitions of journalism with explanation of local national features of this p

Appendix 3

Zahra Kerimova was born in 1909 in Eyvazly village of Qubadli district. In 1918, when Armenians were about to enter the outskirts of their village, her family left their homes, leaving all their possessions behind and moved to city Agdam currently occupied by Armenian forces. Being very poor Zahra along with her parents had to become a servant in a wealthy house.

After the Soviet annexation of Azerbaijan Republic her father Adigezal Kerimov supports Bolsheviks and even names Zahra’s younger sister after the new government – Shura [Rus: Soviets]. However, the family continues to suffer from poverty and 12-year-old Zahra starts working at a stockings factory.

Under influence of her older brother Karim, Zahra goes to evening school and soon joines Komsomol or the Communist Union of Youth. Shortly after she is already in charge of the Komsomol branch in Ganja city then in Jalilabad and then travels to Baku for studies in the Party School.

During the unveiling campaign she is among the first Azerbaijani girls to drop her veil. In the mid 20s she is a teacher and actively works to eliminate illiteracy among young women especially from the regions of the country.

In 1929 she is appointed the first secretary of the Kirov District Committee of the Komsomol and in 1930 joins the Communist Party and becomes editor of newly opened magazine "Azerbaycan gadini» [Aze: Azerbaijani woman]. In 1938 she is elected the first secretary of the Kirov District Party Committee, and in 1939-40 attends the Higher Party School and soon after is elected a deputy from Azerbaijan to the XVIII and the XIX Party Congresses. Zahra Kerimova holds high posts in party and government, she is a member of the Bureau of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan.

In 1941, she is appointed the Minister of social welfare and in this capacity she will work for about 10 years including 4 years of the World War Two. In 1942 Kerimova for her outstanding hard work is awarded the combatant award - the Order of Lenin.

After the war Karimova held senior positions: she was a member of the City’s Party Committee, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan. In 1952-1954 she became the first Azerbaijani woman to become member of the Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan and the first Chairwoman of the TUA (Trade Union of Azerbaijan).

Zahra Karimov passed away in the turmoil of the 1990 when the country she was building was about to collapse and Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia were preparing to enter bloody conflict. The collapse of the country to which she has invested all her life, youth and strength seriously affected her health. Yet, name of Zahra Kerimova will remain forever inscribed in the history of achievements of Azerbaijani women.