Mohtaram Eskandari facts for kids
Mohtaram Eskandari (محترم اسکندری; 1895 – July 27, 1924) was an important Iranian thinker. She was a pioneer in the Iranian women's movement. She helped start and was the first leader of the Jam'iyat-e Nesvan-e Vatankhah, which was the first group in Persia (now Iran) to fight for women's rights.
As the first leader and publisher of the Nesvan Watan Khaw newspaper, Mohtaram Eskandari gave talks to support women's rights. She spoke about the importance of education for girls and women. She also organized marches for the members of her association.
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Early Life and Education
Mohtaram was born in Tehran into a family that believed in freedom and new ideas. Her family was also very active in politics. Her father, Mohammad Ali Mirza Eskandari, was a supporter of a new government system. He also founded a group called the Adamiat Society.
Mohtaram first learned at home from her father. She studied Persian and French literature. Her teacher was Mirza Mohammad Ali Khan Mohaqqeqi, whom she later married.
Fighting for Women's Rights
As an adult, Mohtaram Eskandari worked as a teacher. She also became the director of a government school for girls. She was not happy with how women were treated in Persia. This was even after the Constitutional Revolution, which was supposed to bring more fairness.
Because of this, she started the Jam'iyat-e Nesvan-e Vatankhah in 1922. This group was also called the "Patriotic Women's League of Iran." It was special because it combined the fight for women's rights with Iranian national pride.
The Patriotic Women's Association
Mohtaram Eskandari, along with other important women like Nurolhouda Mangeneh and Mastureh Afshar, started the Patriotic Women's Association in 1922. A main goal of this group was to make sure women had the right to get an education.
The association chose ten women to be on its board of directors. These women then elected Mohtaram Eskandari as the first head of the group.
The Patriotic Women's Association also published a magazine called "Women's Wisdom." This magazine was the official voice of the group. It focused on issues important to women and their rights. Mohtaram Eskandari was the first respected director of this magazine. The Nesvan Watan Khaw newspaper published eleven issues over three years. It attracted many women who believed in freedom and progress.
Standing Up to "Wicked Women"
Some people in Tehran were against women's education and freedom. They published a book called "Wicked Women" (مکر زنان). Young boys sold this insulting book in the city's main squares.
Noor-ol-Hoda Mangeneh, a member of the association, wrote about how hurtful this book was. She said that the women decided to do something about it. They planned to gather in Sepah Square and burn these books.
One day, Mohtaram Eskandari and seven other brave women went to Toopkhaneh Square. They took the "Wicked Women" leaflets from the children selling them. Then, they set the leaflets on fire right in the middle of the square. When the children asked for money for the burned leaflets, Mohtaram and the other women refused to pay.
Arrested for Standing Up
After the women burned the books, the police arrested them. They were taken to the police station and questioned separately. In a book about Iranian women, Badr al-Molouk wrote about what happened.
Mohtaram Eskandari bravely told the court why they burned the books. She said, "We burned the books to defend the honor of your mothers and sisters. We have wisdom like all human beings, and we are not wicked." Her strong words impressed the officers in the court.
Mohtaram Eskandari became known as the first woman in modern Iranian history to be arrested for such an act of rebellion.
Illness and Passing
Mohtaram Eskandari had a back problem since she was a child. After her arrest and the stress of burning the leaflets, her health got worse. Doctors said she needed surgery on her spine.
Even in her final days, she kept working for women's equality. She told the women in the Patriotic Women’s Association to never stop fighting for women's rights.
Mohtaram Eskandari passed away in July 1924, at the young age of 29. Her death brought great sadness to those who knew and worked with her.
Sediqeh Dowlatabadi, another important woman, wrote about Mohtaram:
The loss of Mohtaram Eskandari has made me very sad. I know how hard this brave Iranian girl worked. Her death is a great misfortune. Her sacrifices were amazing. She was often criticized, but she never let it upset her. She kept working towards her goals with strong determination. She was the first Iranian woman I saw who never got tired of working for her goal. I hope all the women of my country will continue her work and keep her foundation strong.
Images for kids
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Board of Governors of Association of Patriotic Women [Jam'iyat-e Nesvan-e Vatankhah], Tehran, 1922–1932.
