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Jila Afshari Jila has lived in the United States
since 1975. She obtained her MBA from Temple University in Philadelphia
and has lived and worked on both the East Coast and in the Midwest.
In 1990, she decided to pursue her passion and go back to school
to study design. After graduating from design school, Ms. Afshari
worked at Wilson & Associates in Beverly Hills, California,
designing high-end hotels. She then moved to Fresno and has been
working for an office design company in that city.
She is the proud mother of a sophomore at UC Berkeley and
a fourteen-year-old daughter. |
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Josephine
Shahrezad Shokrian
Lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, but grew up in Los Angeles.
She is a yoga teacher in the Bay Area, certified by the International
Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association (I.K.Y.T.A.) to teach Kundalini
Yoga. She has been
practicing yoga for the past 5 years. In addition, Josephine is
currently studying fine art and film at San Francisco State University,
and is currently working on a project dealing with Iranians and
Iranians in America. |
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Laleh
Bakhtiar
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology,
an M.A. in philosophy, and a B.A. in History. She is a nationally
certified counselor, licensed in the state of Illinois. Dr. Bakhtiar
has been practicing Islam for over 30 years. She is co-author of
A Sense of Unity and author of many books including: Sufi
Expressions of the Mystic Quest, three volumes of God’s Will
Be Done, Muhammad’s Companions, The Encyclopedia of
Islamic Law, Ramadan: Motivating Believers to Action,
and Sufi Women of America: Angels in the Making (Kazi Publications).
She has also translated over 30 books on Islam and the Islamic movement
into English. She has lectured extensively in both religious and
academic institutions. Through the works on psychology she has become
the leading authority on the Sufi origins of the Enneagram. She
is an expert in the psychology of spiritual chivalry (futuwwa,
javanmardi). She directs her work towards Muslim women and youth.
She is presently Director of the Institute of Traditional Psychology
and In-House Scholar at Kazi Publications. She is on the advisory
board of the Center for Religion and the Media, jointly established
by the Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University and
the Garett Evangelical Theological Seminary, is a Trustee of the
Council for the Parliament of the World's Religions and teaches
Islam at the University of Chicago. She has a computer-based training
program on the Internet at www.sufienneagram.com
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Lilly
Ghahremani
Lilly was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She attended the University of Michigan, completing a degree in English Literature, but dabbling in everything from economics and biology to Congolese dance and medieval French literature. She is in her last year at UCLA’s School of Law. Lilly hasn’t decided exactly what she will pursue next, but she knows that it will be exciting and educational, and she regards her participation in IranDokht as a huge step in the right direction?o:p> |
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Lily
Ayman
Ms. Ayman received her education in Iran, Europe, and the
USA in the field of education. Ms. Ayman was the founding member
of the Children's Book Council of Iran, and served on the board
of the International Books for Young People from 1974 to 1978.The
elementary readers in Persian that she wrote and editedwere used
in Iranian schools for two decades, up to 1980. In 1979 she moved abroad and since then she has been active
in encouraging Persian families to teach their children the Persian
language. She was a lecturer at the University of Chicago from 1998-2000,
teaching Persian. |
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Linda Nahai-Nassib Linda was born in Arlington, VA,
though she completed elementary school in Iran. She resumed her
studies at Kent College Boarding School in England. Before attending
boarding school, she studied French at Penessionnat Florissant in
Lausanne, Switzerland. Later, she went on to study French literature
and language at Sorbonne University in Paris, France. She also earned
degrees in fashion design and illustration at the styling schools
of Jeoffryn Byrs and Esmond Guerre Lavigne in Paris. Linda married
her husband, Aaron Nassib in 1976. They now have two sons, Elliot
and Jean-Pierre. Recently, Linda obtained a certification in nutrition
from UCLA and has been certified by the AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness
Association of America) in personal training, health and fitness.
However, she has been in other fields of fitness including cardiovascular
exercise, weight lifting, and weight management for over 19 years.
Currently, Linda is a nutritionist and fitness consultant in Beverly
Hills, CA. Contact: Linda Nahai-Nassib, 9915
Santa Monica blvd, Suite 107, Beverly Hills CA. 90212, Tel: 310-877
9939. |
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Mahasti Shahrokhi Mahasti is a journalist, theater critic and storyteller.
She was born in Malayer,Iran in September 1956. She spent her elementary
and high school years in Tehran and graduated from the Fine Art
University of Tehran with a degree in theater arts. In the fall
of 1984 she emigrated to France and continued her education in variety
of fields, including educational technology, study of ancient Iran,
and comparative literature. She earned her Ph.D. in literature at
the Sorbonne. Many of her articles have been published in artistic
and literary magazines inside and outside of the country. Her popular
novel, A Shawl as Long as the Silk Road (Baran
Publication, Sweden, 1999), attracted critical attention, and
Cactus magazine (published in the U.S.) devoted its
third publication to this novel. Ms. Shahrokhi currently resides
in Paris. |
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Mahdokht
Sanati
Dr. Sanati holds a Ph.D. in early childhood education from
Illinois University and an M.S. in social and psychological counseling
from Tehran University. Dr. Sanati was awarded the Best Children’s
Book of the Year in 1969 for The Bird and the People, an
illustrated book for children. She also won the title of Best Translation
for a Children’s Science Book in 1972. In addition, Dr. Sanati has
published numerous articles, book reviews, short stories for newspapers,
and Jomjomak Barg-e Khazoon (a collection of nursery rhymes).
Her latest publication is Letters, Writings, and Remembrances,
a three -volume work on the life of Sedigheh Dolatabadi. Dr. Sanati
was the co-founder of the Children's Book Council in Iran 37 years
ago and co-founded the Society for the Protecting the Rights of
the Child in Iran 6 years ago. She has held many positions throughout
her life. Some of these community services include: Director of
Organization for Rural Women’s Education in Iran, Director of Orchard
Downs Student Counseling group, Director of Association In Support
of Children’s Rights In Iran, and a Member of the Board of irectors,
Iranian Children’s Right Society. |
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Massoume
Price
Massoume Price is an ecologist and a social anthropologist
educated in Iran and UK. King's College and University Collegs,
London University. She is a free lance writer, research consultant
and currently lives and works in Canada. |
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Maryam
Malek
Dr. Malek has her doctorate in industrial/organizational
psychology. She has
over 20 years of business experience in sales, marketing, and management
with IBM and Xerox corporations.
She has been the president of Corporate
Development Consulting since 1995.
She is also the founder of the Center
for Research and Advancement of Human Potential in Southern California,
dedicated to creating an environment which assists individuals in
organizations to meet and exceed their potential, both personally
and professionally. She
also serves on the Board of Directors for the Alumni Association
at the United States International University and the American Society
for Training and Development. Dr. Malek is an adjunct professor
and a frequent guest speaker; in addition she holds seminars at
various universities, colleges and businesses discussing topics
related to organizational psychology. Contact: Dr. Maryam
Malek, Industrial/Organizational Psychology Corporate Development
Consulting, Making Work A Better Place. www.cdcconsulting.org,
malek@cdcconsulting.org
25415 Boone Place, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Tel
949-716-8103, Fax 949-581-2279 |
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Mehrnoosh
Mazarei
Mehrnoosh was born in Tehran, Iran. She graduated from the Business School of Tehran in 1976. In November 1979, she moved to California to continue her higher education. She has lived and worked in Los Angeles since then. Currently she is working as an independent computer consultant. Between 1989 and 1991 she founded and edited Forough, a Persian literary women's magazine that was the first Iranian magazine dedicated to women's literature. Mehrnoosh has published two short story collections in Persian. Borideh Hay e Nour (Streaks of Light) in 1992 and Clara va Man (Clara and I) in 1998. She also has translated one collection of one-woman plays by Dario Fo. She has a new collection of short stories under publication called Khakestary (Gray) and she is currently working on a novel. Mernoosh’s stories have been published in Iranian magazines inside and outside of Iran. Her stories also have been translated to English, German and Dutch. “The Agonizing Tale of a Horrible Murder? along with another story of hers, were among the top 100 stories chosen in the Writer’s Digest competition in 1997. Contact: mernoosh@earthlink.net |
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Mehrzad
Zamanpour
Mehrzad
is a business developer responsible for signing up retailers, e-tailers
and manufacturers at Exchange Circle. She has over 10 years of experience
in the cosmetics and fragrance industries, working with exclusive
and high-end lines such as Sanofi, Stendhall cosmetics and skin
care, Yves St. Laurent, Princess Marcella Borghese, Revlon and Germane
Monteil. She has held positions ranging from account executive to
managing director. Her
responsibilities have included negotiating with retailers, buyers,
and pharmacists; training employees in fragrance layering, fragrance
history, and selling techniques; directing and training beauty consultants
and fragrance models in the art of makeup (for everyday looks and
special occasions), skin treatment, and administrative duties. Mehrzad’s
formal education focused on women's health, human sexuality, and
employee health education.
She holds three Bachelor’s degrees from the University of
Utah in Salt Lake City. She
also has extensive background in different skincare systems, makeup,
color analysis,
and fragrances. 7
Regalo Drive, Mission Viejo, CA 92692 949-837-3777 |
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Michelle Shahrzad Davis
I am an Iranian-American, but first and foremost I am Michelle
Shahrzad Davis. I was
born in the United States of America where I have lived the 16 years
of my life in sunny Southern California.
Presently I am a senior in high school and will hopefully
be attending the University of California at Berkeley.
I belong to one of the fastest growing minority ethnic groups
in California and represent a member of the influential youth of
America. Because I am a teenager and have a zest for music, I am
a very eclectic virtuoso.
As an Iranian-American woman, I feel that I am obliged by
my heart to share my experiences and knowledge in three articles:
“Being a Minority in the USA? “Teenage Identity Issues? and “Music
for all Moods?
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Mozhgan Mojab
Mozhgan
is president and founder of the World Political Action Committee
and political editor of Iran Today. She
leads grass root movements against sanctions, fingerprinting, racial
profiling and unreasonable search and seizure of Americans of Iranian
heritage in the US. She is also an advisor to the Persian Watching
Center (PWC), the Iranian-American anti-discrimination center. Her
publications and periodicals have appeared in the Iranianmedia,
and she has been on TV and radio shows in the US as a political
analyst and as an expert in
US-Iran relations. Her writings have been published in the
Los Angeles Times, New Republic, the Maiden News,
and Pacifica News Agency. Mozhgan’s educational background includes
a B.Sc. in physical therapy from Tehran University (1988). She has
been practicing physical therapy since 1991, when she immigrated
to the US. She started her own business in physical therapy in 1994
and has expanded her horizons to elder care and real estate as well.
She also islicensed by the Department of Social Services in the
state of California. Her political interest and expertise come through
self-education and her family background, and direct experience
ofIran's Revolution of 1979, and eight years of the Iran-Iraq war
and its aftermath. |
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Niloofar
Beyzaie
Niloofar is a theatre director and stage writer. After graduating
in 1994 in with degrees in German literature and theatre, she wrote
eight plays. Women
are the central theme of all of her plays.
She has written many articles about the modern theatre and
about the role of women in theatre. She has performed and written
more than 180 plays in many European countries. She usually works
and writes in Persian and German. |
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Niloofar
Farnoody
Dr. Niloofar Farnoody was born into a loving Iranian
family
in Kansas City. As a six-year-old girl she witnessed the fall of
the Shah and the Islamic Revolution as well as the dark years of
the Iran-Iraq war. Her direct experience of the struggles and ambivalence
in living between cultures has been the primary force behind her
interest in pursuing a clinical and research career in psychology.
She graduated from University of California at San Diego in 1994
with a B.A. in psychology.
She obtained her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Pacific
Graduate, S.P. (affiliated with Stanford University).
In 2000-2001, she completed the American Psychological Association-accredited
doctoral program. Currently, she is employed at Didi Hirsch Community
Mental Health Center, where she provides mental health services
to a multicultural community with first-hand experience with trauma
and stressful life events. Her clinical training and area of specialty
relate to working with children and young adults to understand cross-cultural
differences, childhood assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD
(post-traumatic stress disorder), ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder), and other childhood and adolescent disorders.
She has participated and presented at the Cultural Competency
and Mental Health Summits in Los Angeles, as well as at the International
Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). |
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Nooshin Ehsan Nooushin Ehsan
was born in Iran. She receivedBachelor ‘s degrees in
architecture from Tehran University andEcole des Beaux-arts in Paris. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree
in interior design from Tehran University and a Master’s degree
in architecture
and urban design from UCLA. Ms. Ehsan has served as the President
of Accessible Architecture in New York, and as managing principal
of B.E.B. Consultants in New York, London, and Tehran. She also
worked as a consultant for the New York State Planning Department
in Albany. Ms. Ehsan is actively involved in 14 organizations, including
the American Institute ofArchitects (AIA) and the European
Baha’i Business Ethics Forum (EBBF).
She is also the New York City mayor’s representative to the
United Nations. |
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Panteha Abdollahi Panteha was born in London, England in 1978.
Although she has lived in California for most of her life
and has never lived in Iran, she is very closely tied to her Iranian
roots. She speaks and writes Farsi and loves Iranian music and dance.
Panteha graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with majors in
psychology and history, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. As part
of her thesis, she conducted a study comparing eating disorder symptoms
and behaviors in Iranian women living in Los Angeles and Tehran.
This research won the Dean’s Prize at the UCLA Undergraduate Research
Conference. Panteha was also president of Psi Chi National Honor
Society in Psychology, a director of the UCLA Peer Help line (a
crisis intervention hotline), a member of the community service
group Bruin Belles Service Organization, and a participant in the
UCLA Graduate Division Summer Research Program. She also worked
in the accounting division at the UCLA Athletics Department and
spent time studying abroad at Cambridge University in England. Panteha
Abdollahi is a second year student at UCLA School of Law. She is
currently involved with the Journal of Islamic and Near East
Law and with the Near Eastern Legal Society. |
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Pari
Esfandiari Dr. Esfandiari obtained her PhD in business and post modernity from Oxford
Brookes University in 1998, focusing on green and ethical businesses.
She has an M.Sc. in urban planning and a B.Sc. in architecture.
She has over twenty years of diverse experience involving a wide
range of Pan-European projects, including academic research, documentaries,
books, articles, public speaking, and debating. As a natural entrepreneur,
she managed a net worth of Middle-Eastern investment in the UK property
market, and also designed and developed building projects. Her recent
work experience includes business strategic consultation including
ethical and green policies, building investments, and start-up Internet
business communities. |
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Parry
Sabahat
Dr. Sabahat was born and raised
in Mashhad. She moved to Tehran in order to attend the Teachers
Training School, and then began working as a high school teacher.
She received her degree in English language from the University
of Tehran. She pursued her passion for painting upon her immigration
to the US in 1979 by attending classes. For the last fifteen years
she has taught painting on silk fabrics and china. Her frustration
with violence during and after the Iranian revolution triggered
an interest in metaphysics, which led to her Ph.D. She values this
experience as shedding light on how to learn and she is looking
forward to sharing her knowledge with you. |
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Partow Nooriala An Iranian poet and literary critic, Partow Nooriala was
born in Tehran, Iran. She received her Bachelor’s degree in philosophy
and her Master’s degree in social sciences from the University of
Tehran in 1978. Her first book of poems, The
Share of the Years, was printed and ready for distribution when
she was 22 but was banned by the Shah’s regime for seven years.
This book was finally published in Iran in 1978, during the revolution.
Nooriala came to the U.S. in 1986 and published her second collection
of poems, From the Eyes of
the Wind, in California. This book reflects the hopeful experiences
of the revolutionary period and the disappointing social events
that followed. Her third book, My
Earth Altered,
was also published in California in 1993. Nooriala’s fourth book
of poems, A Chain on the Hands
in the Constellation of Prosperity, will soon be published.
Nooriala is also a literary critic. Her works on modern Persian
fiction and film have been published in Persian literary journals
both in and outside of Iran since the 1970’s. One collection ofreviews,
Two Critiques, was published
in 1986. The second collection of her critiques, Literature
and Awareness, will also be published soon. Nooriala was awarded
first prize for Best
Critical Review in 1994 by Nahr-e-Baran Publications in Sweden. |
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Parvin
Abyaneh
Dr. Abyaneh has been a Professor of Ethnic and Women's Studies
since 1991 at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where
she founded the Middle Eastern and Women's Studies Institute. She
is also the chair of the Pacific Southwest Women's Studies Association
for 2002-4. Dr. Abyaneh has published numerous articles and papers,
mainly in academic journals. Her educational background includes a B.A. from the Teachers
Training College, Teheran (1972); an M.S. in social science
from Teheran University (1975); and a Ph.D. in sociology
from the University of California, Riverside (1986). Contact:
Tel: 909-869-3598; pabyaneh@csupomona.edu
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Parvin
Arefi
Parvin’s special interest is spiritual astrology. Her philosophy
is “know yourself and your destiny with astrology, and elevate and
empower yourself and your life with the power of yoga and meditation
and healing arts.?She has studied and practiced different yoga
and meditation techniques with several masters.
She currently practices Buddhism and teaches astrology at
the Carroll Righter Astrological Foundation in Hollywood, California.
As an engineer, Parvin is very aware of the universal laws, and
she sees much truth in astrological forces and laws. Throughout
history, the ruling classes in ancient Persia, Greece, India, Egypt,
and Europe have used astrological forces. Now, in the computer age,
this science is available to everybody all over the globe. Parvin
believes everybody should learn about herself through this ancient
science. |
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Dr. Karim was born in California to immigrant parents--her
father is from Iran, her mother from France. After experiencing
the media coverage from the Iranian revolution and the hostage crisis,
she felt an interest in exploring her Iranian heritage. In 1990,
she entered graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin
in Middle Eastern studies and Persian language and literature. In
1998, she completed her Ph.D. and edited A
World Between: Poems, Short Stories, and Essays by Iranian-Americans
(George Braziller, 1999). Since 1999, she has been an Assistant
Professor of English and Comparative Literature at San Jose State
University, where she teaches world literature, comparative literature,
American ethnic literature, and creative writing. Contact: pkarim@email.sjsu.edu.
English Dept., San Jose State University, 1 Washington Square, San
Jose, CA 95192. Tel: 408-924-4476 |
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