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Inspiration October 6, 2017
"It's not just about hope and ideas. It's about action."
When Iran’s Islamic Revolution forced Shirin Ebadi, the first female judge in the history of Iranian justice, to step down from her position, she didn’t go down without a fight.
After the implementation of Islamic values after the revolution, women were no longer allowed to work as judges. So, Ebadi was demoted to the position of a clerk in the same courtrooms she once presided over as a judge. She protested but the highest position they gave her was as an “expert” in the Justice Department. So, she retired. But she wasn’t giving up just yet. Although her application to practice law was initially turned down, eventually, she obtained her lawyer’s license and set up her own practice.
She then went on to represent high-profile cases in Iran such as serial murder victims and the mother of a photojournalist who was killed in Iran.
When Ebadi was told she couldn’t practice law for the Justice Department because of her gender, she didn’t admit defeat. She created her own path to follow her dreams.
Since Shirin Ebadi is proof that nothing can hold women back, we compiled a list of famous Shirin Ebadi quotes to portray the resilience of women.
“Human rights is a universal standard. It is a component of every religion and every civilization.”
“It’s not just about hope and ideas. It’s about action.”
“When more and more people want something, it becomes easier to achieve that goal.”
“Whenever Muslim women protest and ask for their rights, they are silenced with the argument that the laws are justified under Islam. It is an unfounded argument. It is not Islam at fault, but rather the patriarchal culture that uses its own interpretations to justify whatever it wants. It utilizes psychology to say that women are emotional. It utilizes medical science to say that men’s brains are formed in such a way that they are better able to understand concepts. These are all hypotheses. None of this has been proven.”
“How can you defy fear? Fear is a human instinct, just like hunger. Whether you like it or not, you become hungry. Similarly with fear. But I have learned to train myself to live with this fear.”
“What is important is that one utilizes one’s intellect and not to be 100 percent sure about one’s convictions. One should always leave room for doubt.”
“When you vote, vote for those who are not warmongers, and vote for those who respect human rights. When you see a president who doesn’t respect human rights, don’t vote for that person.”
Shirin Ebadi’s constant fight for human rights is proof that women are stronger, smarter and tougher than we’re ever told we can be.
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