Thoughts: Be the Voice of Iran
Iranians are still protesting the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while she was in the custody of the morality police for not wearing her hijab properly. The Islamic Republic of Iran has used compulsory hijab as their fundamental means of oppressing women for more than 40 years. Iranian women are leading this movement, burning their scarves, and chanting “Woman, Life, Freedom” in the streets.
Every day, I watch videos of people who fight this brutal regime empty-handed while being beaten, arrested, and shot in the streets. I made this short animated clip inspired by a video of a woman tying her hair to get ready to fight the Islamic Republic’s security forces. As an artist, I feel the responsibility to share Iranian stories about bravely standing up for human rights. @ellie.nikoo
For 2025 coverage, Minnesota Women’s Press earned a community leadership award, three photography awards, and four editorial awards, including for coverage of social issues and for our Spring 2025 “Know Your Rights” special section supported by Unidos MN. Our publisher was named Journalist of the Year by Violence Free Minnesota for gender-based violence coverage.
