Zohreh Valiary Posters for Social Change

Poet

Forough Farrokhzad
(1935–1967)

Literature

Farrokhzad “the iconoclast” is the most admired woman in the history of Persian literature. She lived her life and developed her career without adhering to the conservative social rules of her era. Her poetry expresses her feelings about the predicament of Iranian women, especially within orthodox marriage. She examines universal themes such as romantic love, injustice, and patriarchy by referencing autobiographical events (Iran British Council)

Media

Mohaqiq Calligraphy, Illustrator CC, and Photoshop CC

Mathematician

Maryam Mirzakhani
(12 May 1977 – 14 July 2017)

Science

Science Mathematician and Standford University professor, Mirzakhani was the first woman, and the first Iranian, to win the prestigious Fields Medal for mathematics in 2014. In 2005 she was recognized as one of the top young innovative minds in scientific fields in Popular Science’s fourth annual “Brilliant 10” edition.

Media

Mohaqiq Calligraphy, Illustrator CC, and Photoshop CC

Singer

Qamar-ol-moluk Vaziri
(1905 – 5 August 1959)

Art

Known as Qamar, she was the first Iranian woman who sang in public without wearing a veil. She is known as the most active, traditional female singer and “the Queen of Persian music.” Her career started in 1924 with a performance at the Grand Hotel in Tehran when she was only 19. She produced 200 records and inspired the careers of other female singers such as Moluk Zarabi and Rou-angiz.

Media

Mohaqiq Calligraphy, Illustrator CC, and Photoshop CC

Journalist

Sadiqeh Dowlatabadi
(1882 – July 30, 1961)

Leadership

Dowlatabadi was one of the pioneers in feminism in Iran. She was amongst the first female journalists in Iran. She published Zabane-e Zanan, the first women’s magazine, in Isfahan in 1919.

Media

Mohaqiq Calligraphy, Illustrator CC, and Photoshop CC

Lawyer

Nasrin Sotudeh
(30 May 1963 – present)

Justice

Sotudeh is the most illustrious lawyer in Iran. In spite of continuous harassment by the state, and periodic imprisonment, she dedicated her life to defending human rights. She has represented Iranian political prisoners as well as prisoners condemned to death for juvenile crimes. Sotudeh has won several prestigious international awards for her work in the area of Human Rights (Nobel Women’s Initiative)