IAWF NORCAL MOTHER’S DAY | 35 IAWF NORCAL MOTHER’S DAY On May 1, 2016, over 150 Iranian American mothers, daughters, and grandmothers gathered in the beautiful redwood tree lined courtyard at Faz Restaurant in Danville, California. They enjoyed a day of Persian delights, music, inspiring speakers and networking with the Northern California Chapter of the Iranian American Women Foundation. The afternoon began with an inspiring talk by Butimar Production’s Marjaneh Moghimi urging guests to follow their career dreams, no matter how fantastical they may seem to others. Moghimi recently produced the award-wining film Radio Dreams, starring Mohsen Namjoo as well as Fifi Howls from Happiness. Next, they heard from Ms. Mariam Safinia, the acclaimed Bay Area speaker and Founder of the School of Practical Philosophy. Ms. Safinia’s powerful speech delved into the spirit and like Ms. Moghimi, she inspired attendees to follow their hearts. Finally, guests laughed and cried to the beautiful tunes of Ziba Shirazi, who gifted them with a musical and spoken word history of her own life trajectory from pain and loss in Tehran, to love and strength and as an independent artist in Los Angeles. It was a truly memorable and inspiring afternoon for Iranian American women in Northern California. N O R C A L