Tahereh Saffarzadeh

An Iranian feminist and educator who pioneered women's education and challenged gender norms in early 20th century Iran.

Tahereh Saffarzadeh (18 May 1898 – 18 January 1984) was an Iranian poet, educator, and feminist icon who fought for women's rights during a time of profound social transformation in Iran. Born into a conservative family, Saffarzadeh defied expectations by pursuing education and advocating for women's literacy and political participation. Her work laid the groundwork for modern Iranian feminism.

At age 16, Saffarzadeh founded the first girls' school in her hometown of Tehran, despite facing opposition from religious authorities and traditionalists. She later established the Society for the Freedom of Women (Anjoman-e Azadi-ye Zan) in 1921, one of Iran's earliest women's rights organizations. The group demanded legal reforms, including the right to divorce and inheritance, and organized protests against gender discrimination.

As a poet, Saffarzadeh used her writings to critique patriarchal norms and inspire women to seek autonomy. Her poem Zan-e Irani (Iranian Woman) became an anthem for early feminist movements. She also translated Western feminist literature into Persian, introducing Iranian women to global feminist ideas.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Saffarzadeh focused on grassroots education, training women to become teachers and activists. Her efforts contributed to Iran's literacy rate rising from 12% in 1926 to 50% by 1979. Despite facing censorship and societal backlash, she remained a vocal advocate for gender equality until her death.

Today, Saffarzadeh is celebrated as a visionary who bridged traditional Iranian culture with modern feminist ideals. Her legacy is preserved through academic studies, literary collections, and the annual Tahereh Saffarzadeh Women's Rights Conference held in Tehran.