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American-Iranian author and director of the Middle East Program at

the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Dr. Haleh

Esfandiari will speak to the UNA fall 2010 graduating class Dec. 17

at 7 p.m. in Flowers Hall.

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One of the top authorities on Iran in the United States, Esfandiari

served as deputy secretary general of the Women’s Organization of

Iran prior to teaching at Princeton University from 1980-1994,

where she taught courses on the Persian language, contemporary

Persian literature and the women’s movement in Iran. She is an

author and editor of dozens of books since the 1970s.

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Esfandiari, who at one time worked as a journalist in Iran and

taught at the College of Mass Communication in Tehran, was arrested

by Iranian security authorities in 2007 and detained for 105 days

after being accused of violating Iran’s national security. After

her release in August 2007, Esfandiari wrote a memoir, “My Prison,

My Home,” which was published Oct. 1.

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“When President Cale and I looked at possible commencement

speakers, we tried to look for someone who would inspire

provocative thoughts in our graduates,” said David Shields, UNA

vice president for student affairs. “She provides a profile of

courage and leadership and inspires graduates to be champions with

a great responsibility to help the world.”

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