Forough Azarakhshi
Encyclopedia
Forough Āzarakhsh'i established the first elementary
and secondary schools for girls in the religious city of Mashhad, Iran, of which the former became known as "Forough's School" ("مدرسه فروغ").
Like other pioneers of education for women almost everywhere in the world, Forough Āzarakhsh'i had to deal with the hostility of the traditionalists of the society of her time. Upon establishing "Forough's School", some religious extremists threatened to set fire to this school, which was held at her private home. To counter this threat, she along with her children and members of her extended family protected the school by the force of arms, a measure that was kept in place for two years. The problem was ultimately resolved as a result of Forough's discussions with the religious leaders of Mashhad who at first had considered presence of girls in a school environment as being against religious teachings; having convinced the citizens that studying would not be deleterious to women, the School for Women (مدرسه بانوان) in Mashhad was formally inaugurated.
Among Forough Āzarakhsh'i's other services to community can be mentioned her presidency of the Children Orphanage (پرورشگاه) of Khorasan, of the Association for the Protection of Mothers and Children (بنگاه حمایت از مادران و نوزادان), and of the Charity Commission (بنیاد نیکوکاری). She was also the honorary president of the Red Lion and Sun Society
of Iran (جمعیت شیرو خورشید سرخ ایران) in Mashhad.
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
and secondary schools for girls in the religious city of Mashhad, Iran, of which the former became known as "Forough's School" ("مدرسه فروغ").
Like other pioneers of education for women almost everywhere in the world, Forough Āzarakhsh'i had to deal with the hostility of the traditionalists of the society of her time. Upon establishing "Forough's School", some religious extremists threatened to set fire to this school, which was held at her private home. To counter this threat, she along with her children and members of her extended family protected the school by the force of arms, a measure that was kept in place for two years. The problem was ultimately resolved as a result of Forough's discussions with the religious leaders of Mashhad who at first had considered presence of girls in a school environment as being against religious teachings; having convinced the citizens that studying would not be deleterious to women, the School for Women (مدرسه بانوان) in Mashhad was formally inaugurated.
Among Forough Āzarakhsh'i's other services to community can be mentioned her presidency of the Children Orphanage (پرورشگاه) of Khorasan, of the Association for the Protection of Mothers and Children (بنگاه حمایت از مادران و نوزادان), and of the Charity Commission (بنیاد نیکوکاری). She was also the honorary president of the Red Lion and Sun Society
Red Lion and Sun Society
The Red Lion and Sun Society of Iran was established in 1922 and admitted to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in 1923...
of Iran (جمعیت شیرو خورشید سرخ ایران) in Mashhad.
See also
- Bibi Khatoon AstarabadiBibi Khatoon AstarabadiBibi Khānoom Astarābādi was a notable Iranian writer, satirist, and one of the pioneering figures in the women's movement of Iran....
- Farrokhroo PārsāFarrokhroo ParsaFarokhroo Pārsā, was an Iranian physician, educator and parliamentarian. She served as Minister of Education of Iran in the last pre-Islamic revolution government and was the first female cabinet minister of an Iranian government....
- Persian women's movementPersian women's movementThis article is primarily about the women's movement. For information about women in Iranian/Persian culture, please see Iranian women..The Iranian women's movement involves the movement for women's rights and women's equality in Iran. The movement first emerged some time after the Iranian...