On Thursday July 30 the Strand‘s picturesque rare book room was clad with a lectern, stage and rows of seats to duly host a discussion by Nina Ansary, author of Jewels of Allah: The Untold Story of Women in Iran, and Cyrus Copeland, author of Off the Radar: A Father’s Secret, a Mother’s Heroism and, a Son’s Quest, led by Iranian-American journalist Negar Mortazavi.
Photo courtesy of ninaansary.com
The event was held to celebrate the new release of Ansary’s book which strives to tell the story of Iranian women with uncouth honesty and to give the individual supporters of the Iranian feminist movement the recognition they deserve. Copeland’s book Off The Radar tells the gripping story of how his father was accused of being a CIA agent by the Iranian government and how his mother defended him in court, making her the first Iranian woman to do so. Last night’s discussion touched on a medley of related topics from the authors’ inspiration for their work to their opinions on the new nuclear agreement with Iran. Following the lively discussion attendees journeyed to Laudrée SoHo for a delicious reception.
Born in Tehran, Dr. Nina Ansary is a historian and expert in the women’s movement in Iran. Inspired by her doctoral research at Columbia University, Jewels of Allah: The Untold Story of Women in Iran celebrates the many fearless Iranian women throughout the history of the country, right up to the current day and illuminates a growing feminist movement emerging within Iran’s patriarchal society. 100% of the proceeds will benefit women’s organizations including the Omid Foundation, an organization that helps vulnerable young women in Iran transform their lives. Visit here for more information: ninaansary.com
