A Bahá’í-Inspired Organization
The Tahirih Justice Center is a Bahá’í inspired organization founded on the belief that the achievement of full equality between women and men is necessary for society to progress. Every day, we work toward legal and social justice for women and girls as a critical step in making this equality a reality.
Our logo, an illustration of a bird in flight, symbolizes a foundational principle of the Tahirih Justice Center derived from a quote from Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of the founder of the Bahá’í Faith:
“The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly. Until womankind reaches the same degree as man, until she enjoys the same arena of activity, extraordinary attainment for humanity will not be realized; humanity cannot wing its way to heights of real attainment. “
Read our complete statement of organizational values
Who Was Tahirih?
Tahirih (TAH-heh-ray) was a prominent figure in Middle Eastern history—an exemplar of women’s strength in mid-19th century Persia during a time and place when most women were kept illiterate and hidden from the public sphere. A member of the persecuted Bahá’í Faith, Tahirih is remembered for her renowned skill as a poet, theological insights, and ability to organize and inspire women to reject their oppressed status. In 1848, as a symbolic pronouncement that a new day was dawning for the status of women, Tahirih became the first woman in recorded Middle Eastern history to publicly remove her veil before an assemblage of men. At the age of 32, she was executed for her beliefs and activities. Her last recorded words were, “You can kill me as soon as you like, but you will never stop the emancipation of women.”
*Painting by Ivan Lloyd
