Overview

A young woman activist takes on her government and the world's largest sports body, FIFA, to fight for women and girl's rights in her country. The sister of Iran's biggest soccer star describes her battle against the stadium ban in a thrilling, inspiring story for anyone YA and up. A young woman activist takes on her government and the world's most powerful sports body, FIFA, to fight for women and girl's rights in her country. The sister of one of Iran's biggest soccer stars describes her battle against the stadium ban in a thrilling, inspiring story for anyone YA and up. Maryam Shojaei's brother, Masoud, was captain of Iran's national team and player in three World Cup tournaments. But Maryam and her mother and sister never saw him play in Tehran's famous Azadi Stadium. For forty years no woman--not one of the over 40 million women and girls in that country--has been allowed in any stadium, except for those brave enough to sneak in disguised as men and run the risk of being arrested and imprisoned. ""Azadi"" means freedom in Iran's Persian language. Here is Maryam's story of taking on her own government and a global sports organization to fight for girls' and women's rights. Azadi Means Freedom is both a fascinating look into life in modern Iran for young women today, and also a personal story filled with intrigue and danger. Maryam travels the globe to battle the stadium ban, is detained and beaten, but her story is also covered in international news. With the support of activist friends and her beloved family--and the stories of other protesters like the Blue Girl and the White Scarves movement--she reaches the powerful halls of FIFA and the United Nations to plead her case. Here is an inspiring story for every activist, sports fan, soccer player, and fighter for women's rights around the world.

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9781644214893

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Reviews

“A moving tale about the importance of one’s voice to make a change. Maryam’s story is an inspirational reminder of the power of perseverance. This story and its message will stay with me.”​ —Aisha Saeed​, New York Times bestselling author of Amal Unbound

“A moving tale about the importance of one’s voice to make a change. Maryam’s story is an inspirational reminder of the power of perseverance. This story and its message will stay with me.”​ —Aisha Saeed​, New York Times bestselling author of Amal Unbound ""Maryam Shojaei’s book Azadi Means Freedom: Fighting for gender equity through the world's most popular game, is a truly passionate and informative account of her activism and perseverance in the fight to lift the Iranian Stadium ban on Women. But Maryam’s story is not just about a stadium ban, it is about love of family, about the power of sports as a tool for diplomacy, about friendships and a shared humanity, and it is about the constant need to keep fighting for the basic human rights of women everywhere. Wonderful read!""—Kely Nascimento, founder of The Impact Game and daughter of soccer legend Pelé

“A moving tale about the importance of one’s voice to make a change. Maryam’s story is an inspirational reminder of the power of perseverance. This story and its message will stay with me.”​ —Aisha Saeed​, New York Times bestselling author of Amal Unbound ""Maryam Shojaei’s book Azadi Means Freedom: Fighting for gender equity through the world's most popular game, is a truly passionate and informative account of her activism and perseverance in the fight to lift the Iranian Stadium ban on Women. But Maryam’s story is not just about a stadium ban, it is about love of family, about the power of sports as a tool for diplomacy, about friendships and a shared humanity, and it is about the constant need to keep fighting for the basic human rights of women everywhere. Wonderful read!""—Kely Nascimento, co-founder of HADAF Global and daughter of soccer legend Pelé

Author Information

Iranian-Canadian civil rights activist MARYAM SHOJAEI founded #NoBan4Women for which she was awarded an ESPN Sports Humanitarian Award for the advancement of women's rights and social justice through sport among other awards. She received her masters degree in Peace Operations from George Mason University. She now resides in Tehran where she advocates for children's rights.

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