#OurStoryIsOne Presentation

About the talk:

#OurStoryIsOne is a global education and art movement that honors and commeomrates the ten Baha'i women who were persecuted and killed 40 years ago in Iran for adherence to their religious identity. This is also a personal story for Maine resident, activist, and artist Parivash Rohani.

From Parivash: "My talk will focus on my personal story of escaping Iran after the 1979 revolution, my journey to India, and the persecution we faced as Baha'is in our home country. I will also discuss my connection to the #OurStoryIsOne campaign and share that I knew all 10 of the women who were executed. Additionally, my husband will speak about the current situation of women in Iran, particularly focusing on the Women, Life, Freedom movement."

The #OurStoryIsOne art exhibit will be up for viewing the entire month of March in the Library. 

About the speakers:

Parivash Rohani was born and raised in Iran. After the advent of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, she left Iran for India. After 6 years of living in India she, along with her husband and her newly-born daughter emigrated to the United States in 1985. Currently, she lives in Portland.  Professionally, Parivash is an ICU registered nurse. She has been involved with many humanitarian, environmental, and interfaith projects. Her involvement in MIPL and the International human rights campaign "Education Is Not A Crime" is due to her firm conviction that change happens organically at the grassroots level, and justice demands universal participation. Parivash believes it is our moral obligation to be involved in social action and participate in the prevalent discourse of society. She volunteers for the League of Woman Voters, Free Clinic, MIRC (Maine Immigrant Right Collation), PCAT (Portland Climate Action Team), on the board of greater portland family promise and portland park conservancy, among many other community works. She was the recipient of the trailblazer award in 2017 and International women around the world in 2024.

Nasser Rohani was born in Iran. At 18 he left his birthplace for India to pursue higher education. After the advent of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Nasser who intended to return to Iran, was unable to go back, due to his religious affiliation with the Baha’i Faith. The Baha’is are being persecuted by the fundamentalist Islamic regime. He continued his education and completed his Pre-PhD studies in ‘Village Cooperative Banking’ from Osmania University. In 1985, after 11 years in India, Nasser and his wife, Parivash, along with their child, decided to immigrate to the United States. Nasser joined the L.L. Bean Company, where he worked as a Systems Analyst in the Information Services Department for 32 years until his retirement in 2018. Presently, Nasser is involved with various social and environmental groups. Additionally, both Nasser and Parivash contribute as members of the Portland Interfaith Clergy group. Nasser teaches courses at the University of Southern Maine on history of Iran and he has shared his perspectives during diversity programs at middle and high schools across Maine and has delivered welcoming speeches to new Americans during Naturalization ceremonies. He is deeply passionate about public discourse, social action, and advancing causes related to the environment, racial justice, and civil debate.

Nasser and Parivash currently reside in Portland, Maine.