About the Author

Dr. Nina Ansary is an internationally recognized award-winning author and women's rights advocate. She is a UN Women Global Champion for Innovation and a Visiting Fellow at The London School of Economics Centre for Women, Peace & Security and has appeared on Fox News, Larry King, the BBC, and been covered in a variety of leading publications, including the The New York Times, CNN.com, Newsweek, Glamour, Teen Vogue and the Yale Journal of International Affairs. Dr. Ansary is the recipient of the 2019 Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the 2018 Trailblazer Award from Barnard College, Columbia University. She has also been recognized as one of "14 Privileged Women to Change the World" by Marie Claire, and "6 Women Who Build Bridges Not Walls" by The New York Times. Dr. Ansary holds an MA in Middle Eastern Studies and a PhD in History from Columbia University.Dr. Ansary's previous book, Jewels of Allah: The Untold Story of Women in

Reviews

"This subtle, intelligent book offers compelling insight into the role of women in Iran. [Ansary] brings to life women from Iran's past, who have held powerful positions in the military, judicial situation and as businesswomen." --Katharine Quarmby, writer/journalist, BBC/The Guardian "A well-documented and persuasively written examination of the change in Iranian women s status under the country s secular and religious governments...maintains an engaging tone that makes it easy for casual readers to follow the arguments." - Kirkus Reviews "Knowing our history is knowing ourselves. Nina Ansary expertly reveals largely untold stories of the multifaceted women of Iran and their perseverance to overcome considerable obstacles." - Alisa Miller, CEO, Public Radio International (PRI) "I am a big fan of women speaking out, telling their stories, using their voices - and author Nina Ansary has used hers in an astonishing, important way. Her Jewels of Allah is brave, authentic and riveting. What a compelling example of why women NEED to tell their stories. Read this." -- Kathy Najimy, actress/activist "This must be included within the Essential Reading lists of all schools- it is a vital historical account, a necessary and refreshed analysis particularly for our 21st Century culture of fear climate." - Marcella Karamat, Curator/ Freelance Writer, The Hollywood Reporter "Nina Ansary s book is a must-read for anyone hoping for a fuller understanding of the role of women and the women s rights movement in Iran. It is a much needed antidote to Western misconceptions." - San Francisco Book Review "The women of Iran have no greater champion than Nina Ansary, nor does anyone equal her in explaining the seemingly paradoxical expansion of women's education since the Iranian Revolution." -- Richard W. Bulliet, Professor of History, Columbia University "This is essential reading on Iran, and feminism, human rights, and social movements. The book turns itself into a archive of all the relevant figures, publications, and eras related to the history of women in Iran, and as a researcher and writer, I know I will refer back to it in the future." - Mahsa Alimardani, internet researcher and Iran editor, Global Voices.com "This is a remarkable book. Nina Ansary explodes some of the myths and prejudices held about Iranian women across the centuries. This volume is an invaluable addition to the existing literature on the subject and a must read for all those who are interested in understanding Islam and feminisms and in the celebration of differences and diversities within the feminist movements." - Baroness Afshar of Heslington, Professor, Academy of Social Sciences, University of York