Iranian American Women Foundation's Mariam Khosravani receives the 2015 Ellis Island Medal of Honor

IRANIAN AMERICAN

WOMEN FOUNDATION

May 2015 Newsletter I

Iranian American Women Foundation's Mariam Khosravani receives the 2015 Ellis Island Medal of Honor

IAW Foundation Founder and President Mariam Khosravani was honored May 9th with the 2015 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. She along with nearly 100 others were awarded the honor by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) on Ellis Island in New York.

Khosravani pictured with Shohreh Aghdashloo, Anoosheh Oskouie & Shireen Atabaki

"It was an honor to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other first and second generations of citizens who are making a difference in the lives of others, locally, nationally and internationally," Khosravani said. "It reminded me of what Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." It was especially inspiring to hear the names of the eight Iranian Americans who received this award. I am proud of each and every one of them."

The Ellis Island Medal of Honor is presented annually to American citizens "who have distinguished themselves within their own ethnic groups while exemplifying the values of the American way of life," according to NECO's website. Rosa Parks and six past U.S. Presidents are among those who have been honored with the medal.

For courageously striving for women's empowerment, for illuminating the beautiful diversity of talents and fortitude in the Iranian American Community, and for so eloquently giving voice to those whose stories might otherwise never be heard, the Iranian American Women Foundation congratulates Mariam Khosravani, and all of the 2015 Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients.

8th Women Leadership Conference made its debut in San Francisco

Nearly 600 people attended the Iranian American Women Foundation's 8th Women Leadership Conference in San Francisco May 3rd at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront.

The educational and women empowerment conference's 10 sessions were presented by nearly 50 panelists and moderators from diverse backgrounds. Attendees listened and learned from experts in various fields, including philanthropy, finding success in corporate America, overcoming obstacles and negotiating one's worth.

The conference was sponsored by Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, Neda Nobari Foundation, City National Bank, Pars Equality, Violet Parvarandeh, San Francisco Airport Waterfront Marriott and International Society for Children with Cancer, among many others.

Spotlight Achievement: Maggie Soleimani

The Iranian American Women Foundation would like to congratulate Maggie Soleimani on her appointment as a commissioner to the Los Angeles County Assessment Appeals Board.

Soleimani will serve in that capacity for the next three year, where she, along with her fellow board members, will hear and rule on appeals of assessed valuation on the local property tax roll in Los Angeles County. The hearings are held at Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in Los Angeles.

Soleimani is the founding and board member of Magbit Foundation, and founding member of Looking Beyond, an organization that supports and enriches the lives of special needs youth.

Me mber Spotlight: Mandana Baradar

IAW Foundation San Francisco Committee Member Mandana Baradar is a business and marketing professional with over 25 years of a diverse background in biotech, pharmaceutical and medical devices in the Bay Area, focusing on project management, marketing, commercial operations and research and development.

Mandana is passionate about strengthening the sense of trust, and teamwork in the Persian Community in the Bay Area and around the world. She believes in the creation and necessity of having a stronger Persian community in the Bay Area for our children and future generations to come. She has actively been working on various projects and with different civic organizations to bring certainty to that presence.