This month, Dr Ata Erim is our Community Star—truly a Community Star for all ages. Dr Erim has faced many challenges head-on throughout his life. He first became a successful physician and then dedicated his time and resources to developing and leading the Federation of Turkish American Associations, a vital all-inclusive umbrella organization in the US. Even at his advanced age, he is actively involved in developing the Turkish American Community Center in New Jersey, which features the Mustafa Kemal Atatürk School and a statue of Atatürk. His new book, ABD’de 60 Yıl, is an easily readable account that contains insights into many experiences and challenges that many of us may recognize.
By Oya Bain
Few names stand as prominently in the annals of Turkish-American history as Dr Ata Erim, whom we proudly honor as this month’s Community Star.
In this exclusive interview, Dr Erim shares his remarkable journey—from his early beginnings in Türkiye to his impactful years in the United States. He offers insights into his education, career, and the profound influence of his leadership within the Turkish-American community. Dr Erim’s story is one of personal success and a lifelong commitment to preserving and promoting Turkish culture and heritage in America. We invite you to explore the life of a true community leader whose legacy will inspire generations to come.
Can you tell us about your early beginnings, including your childhood, original birthplace, and family?
I was born in the Black Sea coastal city of Samsun in 1929. My parents, Yusuf and Esma, moved to Samsun from Ioannina and Drama in the early 1920s as part of the population exchange between Greeks and Ottoman Turks. Our family established its roots in the Balkan hinterland of the Ottoman Empire in 1491 when our first ancestors settled there. My parents met and married in Samsun, and they had three sons and one daughter.
What factors influenced you most during your formative years? How was your early education?
My childhood coincided with a difficult time for my country. Türkiye was still recovering from World War I, and the young Republic, founded in 1923, was facing many challenges. Despite the chaos and change in the region, my early years were relatively comfortable. My father was a successful merchant and provided our family with an above-average lifestyle. In school, I was always at the top of my class and spent much of my time studying, helping with household chores, and playing childhood games with my two brothers, Yusuf and Yılmaz, and my sister, Nihal. Our happiness was shattered when my father passed away in 1943. I was only thirteen years old, and losing my hero was very traumatic. The ensuing years brought financial hardships, but our family bonds were strong, and we found ways to endure those difficult times.
What was your higher education journey? Where and what did you study?
After graduating from high school, I realized that to receive a good education, I would have to move to Istanbul. My family made many sacrifices to support my university education. My sister Nihal and younger brother Yılmaz ended their schooling early to work and contribute financially to the household.
How did you choose your career path?
Since I was the best student among my siblings, I had the privilege of pursuing higher education. I felt a great responsibility toward them to succeed. I was admitted to the medical school at Istanbul University. Moving to a large, cosmopolitan city like Istanbul for the first time presented many financial and social challenges. I immersed myself in my studies, as failure was not an option. Financial hardships forced me to take a year off from university, during which I opened a cleaning business and earned enough money to pay for my final year of education. I graduated in 1955 and then completed my one-and-a-half-year mandatory military service as a doctor in the Turkish Armed Forces. After my military service, I joined Istanbul American Hospital as a physician practicing internal medicine, which allowed me to gain valuable experience working with talented Turkish doctors.
Could you tell us about your journey to the US and your initial experiences there?
My tenure at the American Hospital was short-lived but life-changing. One morning, while doing routine rounds, the hospital’s American director, Dr Swanker, approached me and asked a question in English. Although I had always been an excellent student, I never had the opportunity to learn a foreign language. I only knew a few words in English, so I smiled and responded, “Yes, sir,” without understanding the question. The director seemed pleased with my response. After he left, the hospital’s chief resident asked if I understood the director’s question. Embarrassingly, I admitted that I did not. The chief resident then informed me that the director had offered me a job as a doctor in the United States, and I had accepted it. The following week was a whirlwind of paperwork and goodbyes as I prepared to leave behind everything I knew.
Coming to America was quite an adventure. I spoke limited English, and the culture, cuisine, and social life were unlike anything I had experienced before. My first months in this distant country were spent buried in work and learning the language. My average workweek was 80 hours, so leisure time was a rare luxury. I was very homesick, and international calls were difficult to place. Financially, I was earning much more in the US, allowing me to save 80% of my salary to send back home to my family. As the months and years passed, I learned the language and culture, made new friends, and began meeting with members of the small Turkish community in New York and New Jersey. Spending time with Turkish expatriates was a remedy for my homesickness, as we would talk for hours about our country, families, and the challenges we faced in America.
Please tell us how the Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA) was formed.
During our conversations, we realized the need to organize the community and work to promote a better understanding of Turkish culture, history, and people. Our first step was forming the Turkish-American Medical Association in 1968, where I served as the organization’s president for nine years. In 1970, I was elected president of the Federation of Turkish American Associations, an umbrella organization for all Turkish-American NGOs.
What were the challenges and memorable moments of leading a large nonprofit advocacy organization in the US?
One of the biggest challenges we faced as a community was breaking stereotypes about Turks, dispelling deep-rooted myths about the so-called Armenian genocide, and creating a support system for newly arrived Turks in the US.
How has your leadership style contributed to the success of FTAA, which continues to function effectively today?
During my presidency, I focused on overcoming these challenges and fostering unity and inclusivity in our growing community. Reflecting on my 12 years of service as FTAA President, I am particularly proud of organizing the first Turkish American Day Parade, one of my most significant accomplishments. Sharing our rich culture and history with the American public through this celebration has been incredibly fulfilling. Over four decades, I have witnessed the parade grow from a few hundred participants to over thirty thousand. Another accomplishment I am proud of is the strong network and friendships I have built with American politicians over the years. These relationships have helped raise awareness of issues important to the Turkish-American community in Washington, DC. I was also actively supportive of former President George H.W. Bush’s campaign, as Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis’s views on Türkiye caused great concern among the Turkish-American community.
Please tell us about the new Atatürk Park at the Turkish American Community Center in New Jersey.
Now in my nineties, I spend most of my time with my wife, sons, and grandchildren. My energy is dedicated to the Turkish American Community Center, a project that has always been close to my heart. Watching young Turkish Americans learn about their history, culture, and language at the Mustafa Kemal Atatürk School located at the Community Center fills me with hope for the future. This October 29th, we plan to unveil a statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk at the Community Center. As the founder of modern Türkiye and a leader whose reforms firmly positioned the country as part of the Western world, his presence at the Community Center will always remind us of Türkiye’s commitment to peace and a strong relationship with the United States.
Tell us about your book ABD’de 60 Yıl. Do you keep a diary of your many experiences?
It has been nearly seven decades since I came to the United States. Our community has grown from hundreds to hundreds of thousands during this time. Recently, I wrote an autobiography about my experiences. I hope that younger generations of Turkish Americans will have the opportunity to read the book. Nothing has ever come easy, whether as an individual or as part of the Turkish-American community. However, America is the land of opportunity, and with hard work and determination, anything is achievable.
Would you like to share any message with our readers?
My message to the readers is this: I hope my story can inspire our youth to serve our community well, regardless of the challenges and roadblocks they may encounter.
