On September 14, Meredith College welcomed Nobel Peace Prize recipient Shirin Ebadi, who delivered the 2006 Lillian Parker Wallace Lecture. Ebadi spoke to a full house in Jones Auditorium, and her speech was also broadcast to several on-campus locations. In total, nearly 1,000 people viewed the event.

Ebadi was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2003 for her work as a human rights attorney in her native Iran. Her autobiography, Iran Awakening: A Memoir of Revolution and Hope, was published in 2006.

Prior to Ebadi’s taking the stage with her interpreter, Shirin Ershadi, Meredith President Maureen Hartford presented Ebadi with an honorary doctorate in humane letters.

“She is recognized as the driving force behind human rights in Iran,” Hartford explained during the presentation. “She has displayed great courage.”

Through the interpreter, Ebadi said, “I accept the honorary degree bestowed on me and I am very glad you have accepted me as a member of your College.”

Ebadi spoke of her work as a human rights activist and attorney for women and children in Iran. She was a successful judge in Iran in the 1970s before the Islamic Revolution, when she was demoted to desk clerk because she is a woman. She has remained a citizen of Iran after many of her fellow citizens fled to other countries to avoid further oppression.In Iran, Ebadi said, the feminist movement is powerful.

“The laws [in Iran] are not compatible to the women in Iran [today],” she said. “Women…should fight against this culture. This movement is very strong and will not vanish.”

Earlier in the day, Ebadi spoke with students in a question and answer session. She talked about her Nobel Prize and its impact on her work.

“The path that I have chosen is the correct path,” she said. “I have been able to convey my message to more people in the world.”

Though Ebadi’s focus is the status of women and children in Iran, she also advocates for women around the world.

“Human rights are a cause and I don’t know of a society who has reached the desire and cause 100 percent,” she said.

Ebadi had advice for Americans with regard to Iranians. In the question and answer session, she told students, “The most important thing Americans can do is broadcast the news as it is, not darker or lighter. We need the compassion of the American people.”

Ebadi's visit is part of the College’s 2006-07 theme, which is "The Status of Women: Our Future, Our Responsibility." The yearlong series of speakers and events will examine the status of women from political, economic and social perspectives.

To learn more about Shirin Ebadi, click here.