Shirin Ebadi

Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian lawyer and human rights activist, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her pioneering efforts in democracy and human rights, especially the rights of women and children. She is the first Iranian and the first Muslim woman to receive the prize and is known for promoting peaceful, democratic solutions to serious problems in society. She takes an active part in the public debate and is well-known and admired by the general public in her country for the legal defense of victims of the conservative faction's attack on freedom of speech and political freedom

One of the greatest things about working at the U is having the opportunity to attend wonderful lectures every now and then. Today, Sia and I attended the Tanner Humanities Lecture that brought Shirin Ebadi to the U. Of course she spoke to my heart and my head about democracy, peace and the rights of women and children. Her lecture focused on this beautiful statement,
" Governments come and go but people stay the same."

In many ways the autobiography of Shirin Ebadi are similar to another noble woman, and lawyer in Iran who works for the rights of families, women and children -Pourandokht Ala Khadjenoury, also known as Poorijoon. I am proud that I have a daughter who is bright and strong and has a life full of fantastic role models. I am hopeful my children will know a different world - a world of peace!