IAW Foundation’s new vision is to use the power of our success to globally benefit those in need. I had seen Mariam play an integral part at ISCC events and knew her tender heart led her to take action where it was needed. Yet my initial reaction made me wonder if my heart had hardened. Have I become immune to the needs of others?

Like all other guests, I had dressed up for the occasion, enjoyed seeing friends, and savored wine, tea, and the fantastic spread prepared for us. The magnificent home where the event took place dazzled me, and the crowd’s enthusiasm set the mood for Mariam Khosravani’s emotional speech.

She spoke with fervor and seemed quite passionate about her new idea. She asked a successful community, why not do something to benefit those who are at the verge of financial breakdown? Why not be the “visionaries,” and allow a monthly membership fee that amounts to less than the price of a good dinner out make a difference in someone’s life?

I must admit, my initial reaction was to distance myself. After all, I’m not even part of Irvine’s community, and God only knows how many charities I’m already involved in. By the end of her speech, I had lined up enough evidence for my internal jury to rule against membership. Still, something was nagging at me and questions began to pile up. A group of dedicated ladies had spent months to plan this event, yet while they willingly volunteered to do the labor, I was sitting back and counting my pennies! Ms. Khosravani said it repeatedly, “Please don’t feel obligated.” So why did I have such an uneasy feeling?

When I left, she gave me a hearty embrace and thanked me for being there. With no yellow border added to my nametag, it was clear I had not become a member, but that seemed to make no difference in the way anyone viewed me. On the long drive back to San Diego, I thought hard. When did I become so immune to those in need? Had my heart turned so hard that the story of a young girl in wheelchair or a woman in need of feeding her children no longer fazed me? I wanted to believe that I had done enough. Enough? When are good deeds considered enough? Will one more charity hinder my lifestyle? Was I able to differentiate between not wanting to do this and not being able to? What made me so high and mighty that I now dared turn my back on those who could benefit from my help?

Still, no matter how I tried to reason, there seemed to be no end to my inner conflict. The voice within was arguing that I have already committed to enough organizations for the year. That I’m actually past my tax limit and I don’t even have a job! And shouldn’t I consult my husband about such donations?

Then as if the provisional light bulb had switched on, I saw a solution. Maybe I’m not as immune as I thought. Who is pressuring me but myself? Maybe my heart has remained tender enough after all. Maybe I could meet them halfway. No one is going to be offended by a smaller donation.

Having found a way to do what I can, it feels great to have a part in this great program, no matter how small that part may be. I can only imagine how wonderful the actual “Visionaries” must feel. I hope they sense the depth of my respect for what they’re doing. I hope they know that I, too, care.

Zohreh Ghahremani is the author of Sky of Red Poppies, a 2012 One Book, One San Diego. Her new novel The Moon Daughter was just released.

Our discussion went on for a while. I could not fathom how an event, which I can hardly wait for its return, would fail to intrigue her. She expressed little interest in how the world perceives the Iranian woman and seemed to have attended the conference out of curiosity. “I really wanted to know what Anousheh Ansari looked like close by,” she said. And that remark alone convinced me that I was having a wrong discussion and speaking to the wrong person.

Ever since that day, each time I think about the new Iranian-American Women’s Society and the glorious future it promises, I wonder if we realize its significance. How many of us have stopped to think about how huge this is?

In a society where its own women continue to struggle for some of their rights, here comes the loud and clear voice of immigrant women from a country where their basic freedom is taken away. However, this time the voice is not pleading for attention, it is rather rising to proclaim their unbelievable accomplishments. Oh, how wonderful it feels to raise my head in pride after years of keeping a low profile!

The Iranian-American Women’s conference was not organized to show me what Ms. Ansari looked like – though in person she is lovelier than her photos. Nor is it about rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. What it does for me is providing the boost of energy that I need to succeed, restoring the pride I was about to give up, and introducing role models that I can be proud to know. In a room that is bursting with the energy of seven hundred successful women, you no longer care about looks. The event generates a power that you had no idea of its existence.

The late Iranian author, Saiidi Sirjani in his masterpiece The Image of Two Women, compares two of Iran’s master classics by the 12th century poet, Nezami Ganjavi. Leili-o-Majnoon tells the love story of a young Arab girl, who had to let go of her beloved Majnoon as she was forced to marry a rich man years her senior. This ultimately gave her life and Majnoon’s their tragic endings. However, in another epic, Nezami presents the beautiful Shireen, a free spirited young woman who goes hunting with men, enjoys riding her horse alongside the prince – not to mention daring to refuse him! In drawing such a parallel, Saidi Sirjani concludes that the new restrictions imposed on women in Iran, is an attempt to turn our Shireen into a submissive Leili. Sirjani was imprisoned and ultimately lost his life to his brave pen, but I smile at the thought that the gatherings of his country’s successful women must help to free his caged spirit. Centuries after Nezami and decades past Sirjani’s martyrdom, the daughters of Persia reclaim their good names and let the world meet hundreds of Shireens who refused to become Leilis!

My friend couldn’t be more wrong; once is never enough. To be a member of this society is an honor and a privilege, but attending the conference is a treat. It is the gift I give myself every year and each time I am impressed even more. Imagine looking in a mirror and finding a reflection of the youth you had presumed lost. Wouldn’t you want to look again?
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Zohreh Ghahremani is a writer and an artist. Her novel, Sky of Red Poppies is a 2012 One Book, One San Diego.