Sevgi Yeşilyurt was born on 1 January 1966. Originally from the Alaçam district of Samsun, Yeşilyurt spent her life in Istanbul. In her professional career, she worked as an accountant and retired after many years of service at an accounting firm in the Eminönü district. Married, Yeşilyurt had two children: Filiz, aged 32, and Sadık, aged 29. She is described by her family and close circle as an enterprising individual with a strong sensitivity to social issues.^【1】

^{The Mother of Sevgi Yeşilyurt} (Anadolu Ajansı)

On the night of 15 July 2016, following reports of a military uprising, Sevgi Yeşilyurt left her residence around 10:00 p.m., before any official call for citizens to take to the streets. She first went to Ümraniye Square and, after assessing the situation there, proceeded to the Kısıklı area where the Presidential Residence is located.

Acting through a civilian initiative against the coup attempt, Yeşilyurt set out alone toward the Bosphorus Bridge after learning that it had been closed to traffic. In a phone call with her son at 11:00 p.m. and in her final communication with her son-in-law Hüseyin Sarıhan at 02:23, she expressed her determination and sought their blessing.^【2】

Upon reaching the Bosphorus Bridge (currently known as the 15 July Martyrs Bridge), Sevgi Yeşilyurt did not retreat despite the armed personnel on the bridge opening fire. According to eyewitness accounts, she ignored appeals from nearby citizens to lie down for their own safety and continued walking directly toward the area where tanks were stationed.

During this time, she was seriously wounded by gunfire to the neck area. Transferred from the scene to Kadıköy Numune Hospital, Yeşilyurt could not be saved despite all medical efforts and died at the age of 51. Yeşilyurt is among the first civilian casualties of the events at the Bosphorus Bridge.^【3】

The body of Sevgi Yeşilyurt was buried at Karacaahmet Cemetery on Sunday, 17 July 2016, following a funeral prayer held at Şakirin Mosque in Üsküdar. As Yeşilyurt holds the official status of a martyr, her name has been bestowed upon various institutions to ensure its place in public memory.

In this context, an Imam Hatip middle school in the Maltepe district of Istanbul and the street in Alaçam, Samsun, where her mother resides, have both been named "Martyr Sevgi Yeşilyurt" to keep her memory alive.^【4】