Friday, May 25, 2012

Farmanfarmaian, ‘Mother of Social Work’, Dies at 91


Sattareh Farmanfarmaian among students and colleagues.
Tehran School of Social Work (1960s)

Sattareh Farmanfarmaian, who introduced the Social Work profession to Iran, died today in Los Angeles at the age of 91.  After finishing high school in Tehran, Farmanfarmaian left for Los Angeles in July 1944.  At the urging of Dr. Samuel Jordan, the founder of American School in Tehran (later renamed Alborz High School), Farmanfarmaian enrolled at the University of Southern California, becoming USC’s first Iranian student and received her B.A. in sociology in 1946. In 1948 she received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Chicago.

Prior to her return to Tehran in 1958, she worked for UNESCO as the social welfare consultant to the government of Iraq, working to improve the conditions of the Arab nomad tribes in the country. In Tehran, she founded the School of Social Work, the first of its kind in Iran, and served as its director until 1979.  She also founded the Family Planning Association of Iran.

Farmanfarmaian left Iran after the Islamic revolution and returned to Los Angeles. From 1980 to 1992 she worked for Los Angeles County’s Department of Social Services.

Her autobiography, Daughter of Persia: A Woman’s Journey from Her Father’s Harem through the Islamic Revolution, was published in 1992 and was nominated for Pulitzer Prize.  She also had many academic publications in her field.

File Photo: VOA

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

God rest her soul.
These are the types of people that Iran needs and misses not the useless freeloading pigs that oppress Iran today.

Anonymous said...

If she were here ,I assure you anon 1:10PM.. she would slap you in the face and demand you to be more respectful towards other peoples opinions and beliefs.

Azari by Fortune,Iranian by Grace of God

Dariush London

mat said...

She was one of the most valuable assets Iran has ever had.

Anonymous said...

Anon 2:42

Didn't you think for one second the very reason she lived away from her homeland was the rubbish that is occupying Iran today.
Since when minions and the barbaric regime they follow has any "respect" for other peoples "opinions and beliefs".
They and their minions believe in killing anybody that disagrees.
So you know what to do with your assurances.

Mark Pyruz said...

TAS is now Alborz? I learn something new every day.here at Uskowi on Iran.

Interesting as that may be, the high school in Tehran named after my Iranian grandfather still bears his name, which continues to astound family members stateside.

Anonymous said...

anon 2:42

probably the reason people tend to defend the present political system in Iran is the alternative which is an "abnoxious" you !(you is not personal but

without the likes of you all will change for the better slowly but surely.

Nader Uskowi said...

Mark,

In 1898, Dr. Jordan transformed Alborz elementary school (which was founded in 1873 by American missionaries) into a 12-year elementary and secondary school and its name was changed to American College of Tehran (sometimes referred to as American School of Tehran, not the TAS you are referring to). Dr. Jordan remained president for 42 years, until 1940. (BTW, the location of the school to this day is called “College” Square). During his tenure, “College” became the top prep school in the country.

In 1940, during WWII, Reza Shah removed the school from American management and transferred it to the Iranian Ministry of Education. And the school’s name was changed from “College” back to “Alborz.” Dr. Mojtahedi became president from 1944-1979. (I attended Alborz in 60s, graduating in 1966).

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:05 AM......People in Iran don't support the present political system.That's why they have armed basig thugs with Revolutionary guards in the streets to keep the people in check.
So don't post your obnoxious and cretinous remarks when you know what you say is nothing but lies.

Anonymous said...

anon 2:44
consider yoursel slapped again and again
keshide andar keshide.
Basij is a word for volunteer menaing no money which is unlike supporters of Royalists like you.

Anonymous said...

Dear Anon 8:52 AM

It would take a lot more than a mere little bacheh Akhoond to slap me down.
Basij is nothing but a tool in which mullah boys gladly take their sap from.

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:52 AM

Absolute rubbish!
The basij were being paid up to $200 a day to help in putting down the demonstrations of 2009.
You must be living in fairyland.

Anonymous said...

and how do you know that ? 2;14 PM
I guess what 3:44 said was the meaning of the word Basij.watch the film Ghaladehaye Talla.

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:21 AM

Listen,the Iranian people know what a bunch low lives basij are. And I know what type of creatures they are.This conversation ends here.