Iran's woman martyr pioneered women's equality before Western world's human rights efforts

International House of Justice, Baha'i administrative world center

Many people believe it was the efforts of women in the Western world that initiated women's rights to vote and participate equally in society, but it was a woman from Iran who challenged her government and religious authorities to proclaim equal rights for women more than 150 years ago that provided the impetus for the freedom women experience today.

While the world may focus on the cries of people for democracy in the countries of the Middle East, Tahirih's life is that early example of courage against tyranny in the region. It means that from every nation in the world there have been people of greatness who stand up against evil, reminding us again we should not prejudge people by region or religion.  Her belief came from the basic principle of the religion she was to adopt, that gave impetus to her advocacy for women's rights that "the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens."

Tahirah, the pioneer for women's rights, took grave risks at a time in Iran when demonstrations for women's equality could be met with severe punishment, including death. She was a poet known for beauty, elegance and eloquence who demanded equal rights for women by removing her veil in a public gathering. This act of defiance eventually caused her to be killed as a heretic; but her writings and martyrdom are said to have paved the way for women's equal rights and suffrage in Europe and the United States.

The exact date of Tahirih's birth is unknown, because important documents were destroyed when she was killed. Traditional writings, however, observe she was born into a religious family as the daughter of a prominent Mullah. She became fluent in the writings of the Quran in her youth. Tahirih was a title given her because of her intelligence, good looks and knowledge and devotion to faith, as she is known as "the pure." It is believed she was born between 1817 and 1820.

Through her study of the Quran, as a Muslim at the time, Tahirih came to believe in the teachings that today are known as the Baha'i Faith. She subsequently traveled throughout the Middle East where she talked of equal rights for everyone.

When she removed her veil in a public gathering, Tahirih is said to know she would be killed, since the laws of Islam were strictly enforced. She was admired so much as a poet, however, that even the Shah asked the Islamic religious leaders to leave her alone. In 1852 she was strangled by Muslims, with her own scarf, making her an early martyr to the cause of women's rights and religious freedom she expressed in her writings and speech. Some time before her death, she was quoted as saying, "You can kill me as soon as you like, but you cannot stop the emancipation of women."

Tahirih is now known as a hero and martyr in the Baha'i Faith. An international justice center known as the Tahirih Justice Center is administered by Baha'is and honors her work. This center is involved in equal rights issues, especially regarding women, all over the world.

After her death, Tahirih's teachings became known by Queen Marie ofRumania, the granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Queen Marie became associated with the Baha'is' in the early 20th century, and during her travels spoke of women's rights. She also instituted women's suffrage in her country before the United States and the rest of the world.

Baha'is now have millions of adherents all over the world and temples in many places. One of these temples is located in Wilmette, Illinois, an area in the larger metropolitan area of Chicago, where its nine sides represent the nine great religions of the world. Its founder was Baha'u'llah who proclaimed equal rights for women to be among the cornerstones of his teachings.

Tahirih was that symbol for many people in her era of what can be done, even by a single person, against the forces of tyranny when standing for justice, as even today people express. It further demonstrates how a single person can help change the course of history for millions of people, for it was her sacrifice that helped to facilitate womens rights to vote and participate equally in much of the world today.