Maryam Rahimian was born in Tehran, Iran, and came to the United States in 1974 during her last year of high school. She continued her education in the United States, studying Clinical Laboratory Technology in Seattle and later attending Meli University and Sacramento State University, where she earned a master’s degree in Microbiology.

After settling in Sacramento, Maryam became involved in the Iranian-American community and cultural activities. She was part of the effort to establish the Iranian Center at Sacramento State and worked to bring Persian books to Sacramento public libraries. She also helped bring Iranian poets, artists, and musicians to Sacramento, including Simin Behbahani and Fereydoun Moshiri, so that the community could stay connected to its language and culture.

Education and giving back have always been important to Maryam. She supported school-building projects through MAP, student scholarships through ISF, and served on the board of Encyclopedia Iranica, including chairing its San Francisco gala.

Alongside her community work, Maryam developed a career in real estate, eventually moving into development and construction. She built and developed residential properties in the Sacramento area and later worked with renovated multi-unit properties.

Most importantly, Maryam is a mother of three and grandmother of six. She considers her family, friendships, community, and the opportunity to contribute in small ways to the lives of others among the most meaningful parts of her life.