Hello, I am Pervin Karamete. My journey from Ankara, Turkey to the United States has been an extraordinary adventure. I was born in Ankara, and at a very young age, my family decided to open a new chapter in our lives, leading us to settle in New Jersey, USA.
My educational journey began at Clifton High School. There, I not only achieved academic success but was also recognized with honorable mention awards for my accomplishments in volleyball during the Youth Olympics.
After high school, I decided to get married, and soon after, with the arrival of my first son, I had to put my university dreams on hold. Despite the challenges of motherhood and life's ups and downs, I never lost my determination to advance my career. Starting at Brooks Brothers, I quickly rose to become the company's youngest manager. Recognizing my potential, the executive leadership awarded me a scholarship to attend the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. This allowed me to resume my academic pursuits, during which I honed my skills in business management, industrial engineering, and textile design.
With the birth of my second son, managing motherhood alongside my career became more demanding, leading me to transition to working from home. While working intensively for industry giants, I also had the privilege of contributing my designs to famous Hollywood celebrities. However, despite a thriving professional and family life, an inner voice kept reminding me: “You must do meaningful work for the Turkish community and Turkish children!”
Following this calling, I assumed the role of Vice President at the Community Center in New Jersey in 2017. Shortly after, together with our dedicated educators, we successfully revived the Turkish School after many years. In 2019, I was elected "President of Turkish Schools." During this period, as we successfully opened and operated our second and third locations, I also served as the "School Director."
In December 2023, I assumed the role of New York Region Vice President for the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA). I have dedicated this chapter of my life to the Turkish nation and especially to our children—teaching them, inspiring them, and instilling in them our language Turkish, our patriotic anthems, our cultural and moral values, and most importantly, the legacy of our Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. I carry this mission deeply in my heart, as the lack of opportunity for my own children to receive such an education was a long-standing regret of mine. To heal this wound, our goal alongside our educators and team is to nurture our children while preserving and honoring Kemalist values.
HOW HAPPY IS THE ONE WHO SAYS "I AM A TURK"!
