Shirin Ebadi

Nobel laureate and human rights activist who championed democracy and women's rights in Iran.

Shirin Ebadi (b. 1947), the first Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner (2003), is a symbol of courage in the fight for human rights and justice. As a lawyer, judge, and activist, she has dedicated her life to challenging authoritarian regimes and advocating for marginalized groups.

Ebadi became Iran’s first female judge in 1975 but was demoted after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Undeterred, she turned to legal activism, defending dissidents, journalists, and victims of state violence. Her work exposed systemic abuses, including the 1999 Tehran University massacre.

Exiled in 2009 due to government threats, Ebadi continues to campaign globally. She founded the Defenders of Human Rights Center and authored books like Iran Awakening, detailing her struggles. Her Nobel Prize highlighted the intersection of human rights and Islamic democracy.

Ebadi’s resilience in the face of persecution and her unwavering commitment to justice make her a transformative figure in modern history.