Throughout Iran’s history, women have demonstrated extraordinary courage and resilience, defying societal constraints to take an active role in the struggle for freedom. Their story is one of sacrifice and leadership, particularly during the 1979 revolution that overthrew the Shah’s dictatorship. This article explores the pivotal role of Iranian women in this movement and their unwavering fight for human and social rights.
Trailblazers of the Revolution: Breaking Barriers in a Traditional Society
By the mid-1960s, two major opposition movements emerged as key players in the struggle for freedom. One of them was the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
The PMOI stood out for its progressive ideology, pragmatic approach, and groundbreaking views on gender equality. By rejecting discrimination and advocating equal participation, it provided an inspiring platform for intellectuals, youth, and women alike.
For women, particularly those sympathetic to the PMOI, joining the clandestine struggle was an uphill battle. They had to challenge deeply ingrained societal norms that relegated political resistance to men and confined women’s roles to limited social spheres. In many traditional families, women’s participation in social and political activities was frowned upon, let alone joining an underground movement.
Despite these formidable barriers, many courageous women defied both societal and familial constraints to join the resistance. By the early 1970s, numerous female activists had been arrested by SAVAK, Iran’s notorious secret police. Many endured brutal torture, while some were executed or killed in clashes. Their bravery marked a turning point in Iran’s modern resistance movement.
Fatemeh Amini and the First Female Martyrs: Icons of Resistance
During the darkest days of SAVAK’s reign of terror, underground revolutionary groups struggled to recruit members—especially women—due to the oppressive political climate. While women initially played supportive roles such as providing logistical aid and strengthening underground networks, some defied expectations to become frontline activists.
Among these pioneers was Fatemeh Amini, a 31-year-old teacher and PMOI member. A graduate of Mashhad University, she began her political activism in 1963 and played a key role in mobilizing support for the movement. Arrested during an operation, Fatemeh endured five and a half months of excruciating torture, ultimately succumbing to her injuries without betraying her comrades. She became the PMOI’s first female martyr, setting a precedent for future generations of women in the struggle.
She was not alone. Mehrnoush Ebrahimi, the first woman martyred in a street clash with SAVAK in 1971, and others such as Ashraf Rabii (Rajavi), Narges Azdanlou, and Marzieh Ahmadi Oskouei followed in her footsteps. Alongside them, mothers like Zahra Nowrouzi (Aziz Rezaei), Masoumeh Shadmani (Mother Kabiri) and Ezzat Gharavi played critical roles in supporting the resistance, proving that the fight for freedom knew no gender or age limits.
The Role of Mothers and Families: Voices of Justice Amid Oppression
While revolutionary resistance continued in prisons and underground cells, the mothers, sisters, and families of political prisoners emerged as an unstoppable force. With relentless determination, these women became the voices of their imprisoned children and a driving force behind the exposure of the Shah’s atrocities.
They fearlessly gathered in Tehran’s bazaars, outside military courts, and at Qasr Prison, turning grief into resistance. Through distributing leaflets, organizing sit-ins, and mobilizing public opinion, they played a crucial role in bridging the gap between the resistance movement and the masses. Their efforts were instrumental in mobilizing the public opinion against the Shah’s repression.
Their struggle proved vital in sustaining momentum for the revolution. As they carried messages between imprisoned leaders and the outside world, they helped orchestrate a coordinated effort that would eventually bring the monarchy to its knees.
Women in Mass Protests: The Heroic Stand at Jaleh Square
By 1976, international pressure, particularly from U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s “human rights” policy, forced the Shah to temporarily scale back torture and executions. This provided an opening for social protests, which gained momentum in 1977. Women—especially mothers and students—were among the first to take to the streets.
On September 6, 1978, during a massive anti-monarchy demonstration in Tehran, thousands of women marched for the first time, demanding freedom. The next day, even more took to the streets, chanting “The only path to liberation is armed struggle” and “Death to the Shah.”
Then came Black Friday, September 8, 1978. Defying martial law, thousands—many of them women—gathered in Jaleh Square. In response, the Shah’s army opened fire indiscriminately, killing hundreds, including many women and children. This massacre became a turning point in the revolution, solidifying the people’s resolve to overthrow the monarchy.
Just months later, the revolution reached its peak. During the massive Tasua and Ashura processions, women and men marched in unison, their chants of “Death to the Shah” reverberating across the nation. Victory was imminent.
The Mothers’ Cry: A Campaign for the Freedom of Political Prisoners
One of the revolution’s most significant battles was the fight to free political prisoners. Mothers, sisters, and wives of prisoners waged a relentless campaign, demanding their loved ones’ release.
Through protests, sit-ins, and coordinated efforts, they achieved a crucial breakthrough. On October 19, 1978, 182 political prisoners were freed, followed by over 1,000 more on October 25. On January 13, 1979, a historic sit-in by women activists at the BarAssociation culminated in the release of the last group of prisoners, including Massoud Rajavi, Ashraf Rajavi, and Mousa Khiabani.
These victories provided a final push toward the Shah’s downfall, demonstrating the power of organized resistance led by fearless women.
Women: Pioneers of the Path to Freedom
The fall of the Shah on February 11, 1979, was not the end but rather the beginning of a new chapter in the Iranian women’s struggle. Over the past 46 years, these fearless women have remained at the forefront of the fight against oppression, undeterred by imprisonment, torture, and execution.
Today, they continue to lead the charge against the theocratic dictatorship, carrying the torches of fallen heroines and martyrs. Their vision is clear: a free and democratic Iran, where no dictator—neither the shah nor the mullahs—will ever rule again.
Victory is on the horizon!
