Donka Ushlinova
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Donka Ushlinova (21 December 1880 – 27 June 1937) was a participant in the Bulgarian liberation movement in Macedonia.[1] She was a Macedonian revolutionary, member and leader of the Macedonian Revolutionary Organization.[2] She participated in the Ilinden Uprising, the Balkan Wars, and World War I.[3] She later became a Non-commissioned officer in the Bulgarian army.[1][2][4][3]
Donka Ushlinova was born on 21 December 1880 in the village of Smilevo, Bitola district, where she spent her childhood.[2] At the age of 15, she married Stavre Hristov from the neighboring village of Lera, Bitola.[2][4] In August 1902, with the help of her husband's brother Apostol Iliev and his wife Srebra Apostolova, Ushlinova killed a Turk who was harassing her while her husband was on work in Constantinople.[4] They buried the dead in a local cemetery before fleeing to the nearby mountain in order to avoid the retaliation from the Turks.[2][4]
Revolutionary activities
On their way, Apostol, Srebra and Ushlinova encountered the company of the Duke of Slaveyko Arsov, Resen Revolutionary region, who gave them uniforms.[4] Subsequently, Ushlinova and Srebra became the first women to join the Macedonian Revolutionary Organization which was headed by Slaveyko Arsov, and fought against Ottoman Empire in Macedonia.[2][4]
Ilinden uprising
In 1903, during the Ilinden uprising, Ushlinova participated in several battles that took place in the Bitola Revolutionary District.[1][3] In 1904, Ushlinova, Srebra and Apostol joined Duke Georgi Sugarev's company after the murder of Duke Slavejko Arsov.[2] Following the suppression of the uprising, Ushlinova together with Srebra and Apostol returned to Sofia, Bulgaria.[4] Later, Ushlinova alone moved to Varna where she met her husband Stavre.[2][4]
Balkan wars
Ushlinova and Stavre became volunteers of the Macedonian-Odrina militia and fought the Balkan wars.[1][3][4]
First World War
During the First World War, Ushlinova and Stavre again volunteered to join the second Macedonian Infantry Regiment.[1][3] They participated in the battles that took place at Jarebichna, Dojran, Krusha and Planina.[2][4]