Shirin Ebadi: The 1979 Iranian Revolution

The 1979 Iranian Revolution represented a resistance to westernization in efforts to restore Islamic principles. Iran during the 1970s was plagued by corruption, despotism, and repression. Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi faced massive resistance specifically by a coalition led by Muslim fundamentalists and Ayatollah Khomeini. Khomeini believed that “As for those who oppose us because of their opposition to Islam, we must cure them by means of guidance, if it is at all possible; otherwise, we will destroy these agents of foreign powers with the same fist that destroyed the Shah's regime.” Iran shifted from a pro-Western monarchy to an anti-Western theocracy. There were a variety perspectives to this revolution. For example, one Australian newspaper

Although her mother was plagued with illness, “By almost any account, she was a perfectly fortunate woman—cared for by an ideal, loving husband, mother to obedient, healthy children, in relatively good social and financial standing.” This is important to note in analyzing this memoir. Her parents also treated her brother the same as her sisters which was different than other households because “most Iranian households, male children enjoyed an exalted status, spoiled and cosseted by a coterie of aunts and female relatives.” She earned a law degree from the University of Tehran in 1969 and became one of the first women judges in Iran. Ebadi also served as head of the city court of Tehran from 1975 to

Women served as the backbone of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Ebadi supported the revolution and “Each evening, my husband and I climbed the stairs to our roof and dutifully bellowed Allaho akbar for a full half hour, until we were hoarse.” Although supporting the revolution, she would soon realize that “I had willingly and enthusiastically participated in my own demise. I was a woman, and this revolution’s victory demanded my defeat.” Ebadi did not wear the veil, and under Ayatollah Ruhollah al-Musavi Khomeini, he abolished Western dress and reinforced the Islamic dress code. Days after the revolution, Fathollah Bani-Sadr, the appointed provisional overseer of the Ministry of Justice did not applaud Ebadi for standing with the revolution. He instead said to her, “Don’t you think that out of respect for our beloved Imam Khomeini, who has graced Iran with his return, it would be better if you covered your hair?” The transformation of Iran was evident. “In the new atmosphere, everyone aspired to appear poor, and the wearing of dirty clothes had become a mark of political integrity, a sign of one’s sympathy with the dispossessed.” The implications of the revolution also stripped her of her rank. She states, “It was more a dismissal” and was now “being demoted to a clerk, a paper pusher, a typist.” This shows the implications of the Islamic revival of Iran, specifically, on Ebadi now demoted and faced