By Shirin Ershadi

Shirin Ebadi, my colleague, my school-mate and my friend won the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize. Iranian women are proud of Shirin and share her honor. Shirin is a human rights activist who believes that women's rights are human rights and that women's rights should be urgently addressed in the Iranian regime. Shirin does not see a conflict between Islam and human rights and believes that through a different reading of the Koran Muslim women can enjoy equal rights with men. She believes that patriarchy is the source of oppression of women and that the male chauvinistic reading of Islam has led to discriminatory laws against women in Iran.

Shirin is a very warm and loving person with a great sense of humor. She is also a very brave woman. In an interview with the L.A. Times, Shirin stated that she wishes to continue to live in Iran and fight for human rights. Those of us who have lived in Iran during the Islamic Republic know that Shirin has not only put her life at risk, but the life of her two daughters and other members of her family.

Congratulations to Shirin Ebadi and all women who fight for women's rights!


Shirin Ershadi received her M.A. in 2004 from the UCLA Women’s Studies Programs