103-Year-Old Kazakh Woman Votes in Historic Constitutional Referendum
Anna Degtyareva, a 103-year-old woman from Kazakhstan, has cast her vote in the country's latest constitutional referendum. Born in 1924, she has lived through nearly every major chapter of Kazakhstan's history—from Soviet rule to independence and beyond. Her long life also includes raising six daughters, 16 grandchildren, and 40 great-grandchildren.
Degtyareva was born on December 10, 1924, in the village of Novodonetsk, Kalininsky District. As a child, she worked alongside her mother in the fields, helping with harvests. By 15, she had started her first job as a milkmaid.
During World War II, she contributed to the home front effort. Later, she retired at 50 after raising her large family. In 2018, she moved to Astana, where she now resides. Kazakhstan has frequently used referenda to shape its political system. A 1995 vote established its current constitution, while the latest referendum—held on March 15—introduces a unicameral parliament and expands presidential powers. Degtyareva's participation marks her witness to yet another pivotal moment in the nation's development.
The referendum reflects Kazakhstan's ongoing constitutional changes, with Degtyareva's vote symbolising continuity across generations. Her life spans nearly a century of the country's transformation, from rural labour to urban living. The results of the vote will further define the nation's governance in the years ahead.
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