Two Turkish-origin women receive German Order of Merit

BERLIN - Anadolu Agencty

Gülsüm Aytekin (C) and Gülcan Nitsch (R) were congratulated by the partner of German President Joachim Gauck, Daniela Schadt (L). AA Photo

Two women of Turkish origin - a Red Cross volunteer and an environmental activist - were among those awarded Germany’s Order of Merit on Oct. 5.

Gülsüm Aytekin and Gülcan Nitsch received the honor from President Joachim Gauck at the Schloss Bellevue in Berlin.

Aytekin, a volunteer with the German Red Cross’s family affairs section, and Nitsch, who raises environmental awareness among Turks in Germany, were among 37 recipients of the award, Germany’s only federal decoration.

“These people are there when they are needed,” Gauck said at the ceremony. “They support young and old people, help people in need, fight with right-wing extremism, conduct works on good relations and bringing different cultures together. That is why you are great.”

Nitsch said she was proud to receive the award and accepted it on behalf of fellow volunteers.