Mana Shooshtari Is Amplifying the Voices of Iranian Women Amid Powerful Protests
Even during the most challenging times in history, it's important to highlight those who are continuing to follow their dreams and are taking strides to make the world a better place. Each month, Seventeen is honoring young people as Voices of Change, those who are making a difference in their community and the world at large.
Women. Life. Freedom. The powerful chant of protests erupting across Iran encompasses the demands of Iranian women who have been oppressed and silenced for decades. Following the death of Mahsa Amini — whose real name, Jina, could not be registered under Iranian law — mass demonstrations, led by thousands of women and young people, began in an effort to fight for the end of the Iranian regime’s repression and violence. The rallies also call for freedom and equality.
In the United States, many young Iranian-American women, such as 22-year-old Mana Shooshtari, have friends, family, and loved ones risking their lives and spilling out onto the streets to fight for freedom in Iran. Since protests have sparked, Mana has taken to social media to stand in solidarity and amplify their voices, posting information, photos, and videos about and from the uprising.
“I feel particularly touched by this because I am Iranian,” Mana told Seventeen. “They’re allies, who are so bravely putting their lives on the line for the pursuit of human rights and democracy.”
Mana, the daughter of Iranian immigrants, recognizes the sheer importance of using her platform to spread messages from protestors, to show the true, stark reality of their fight. The world cannot ignore what’s happening in Iran right now, Mana says. Her social justice advocacy is a passion that carries into her day-to-day work as a political science major at San José State University, Field Director at Grassroots Democrats HQ, and Vice President of the Young Democrats of San Joaquin.
For her tireless fight for democracy and determination to make change where it is needed, Mana Shooshtari is recognized as a Seventeen Voice of Change.
17: Why is it important for you to speak up and advocate for the women in Iran right now?
MS: I am a believer in women’s rights and human rights. I feel the need to step up and help amplify the voices of the Iranian women and girls. I take this very seriously because even though I am Iranian, I have the virtue of being born [in the United States]. And that is a huge privilege because I have the ability to be political and not have to worry about my life. Whereas in Iran, the simple act of going to the street and protesting means putting your life on the line. So I feel it’s truly the least I can do to help amplify their voices, especially as they fight so bravely against this regime that has held the country hostage for the past 43 years.
17: As you advocate and fight in solidarity with the women of Iran, what emotions go through you?
MS: I honestly cry every night. I’m so inspired by their courage — they’re going on the street and going face to face with the police, who are so violently responding to their protests. But I feel saddened. I watch all of the videos come out and I’m shocked. I have grief because these people are putting their lives on the line. I’m inspired, but grieved by how many people have lost their lives, how many people who will be permanently traumatized from arrests and torture because they just want a life where they can live freely.
17: How else can people take action and help the protestors in Iran?
MS: First and foremost, amplify the causes. Social media is a very powerful tool to amplify the voices of the people who are on the ground, fighting so bravely. There are several accounts that have been able to source videos of people bravely taking to the streets. They’re also sharing videos of how the regime is so horribly, violently responding to them. It’s very important to make sure that the world knows what the regime is doing to people who are peacefully protesting.
Secondly, call on the United Nations to create a mechanism that can hold the regime accountable for their actions. Amnesty International has a petition that’s garnered a million signatures to call on the international community to build that mechanism, especially in the pursuit of human rights. [You can sign that petition here.]
Finally, call on media outlets — whether it be a local or national media outlet — to help cover these protests and make sure that they’re highlighting the demands of the Iranian people for freedom and equality.
17: What inspires you to keep using your voice?
MS: I study political science, and I’ve noticed that one of the best ways to keep a democracy intact, or to pursue the creation of democracy, is to have the belief and hope that it will come to fruition. Knowing that you have to genuinely have that belief and passion for democracy is what keeps me going. I truly believe that we are at a tipping point globally. It’s interesting, Congressman Jamie Raskin once joined one of Grassroots Democrats HQ phone banks, and kicked it off talking about how democracy globally is either expanding or contracting. We’re at this point globally where we have to decide, are we going to contract or expand? I believe in expanding democracy. I believe in the sheer power of democracy. That’s what we have to keep in mind as we keep fighting and keep pushing forward, both in Iran and here in the U.S.
17: When did your work in activism begin again?
MS: I never really thought I would become someone who’s very political. Then Donald Trump became president and banned my entire family during his first week in office. As a 16 year old, I found that to be quite shocking. I thought, ‘How can somebody with a stroke of their pen just decide arbitrarily that everybody from these certain countries is unsafe to come in, therefore we must ban them?’ It especially hit home because I’m the daughter of Iranian immigrants. So that was my turning point. That’s when I decided to get involved.
My senior year in high school was when the Parkland shooting happened. I, along with a friend of mine, organized a protest on campus during the national walkout. I also spoke at protests in my city, Stockton. That’s when my activism started to galvanize. I learned about the mechanisms of how we can be an activist through the Miss America organization. I competed in their outstanding teen program, which is essentially the little sister to Miss America. When you’re a title holder with Miss America, you need to have a social impact initiative. Mine at the time was funding for the arts, but that’s when I first learned, ‘Oh, you can write a letter to your member of Congress about something you’re passionate about, and guess what? They respond sometimes.’ But I really jumped into activism in college when I decided to major in political science, and found my way into electoral activism during the 2020 elections.
17: Throughout your experience in activism — being the Grassroots Democrats Field Director, Young Dems VP — what has been the biggest highlight? What has been the biggest challenge?
MS: The biggest highlight is the sheer number of voters that we have been able to contact at the Grassroots Democrats HQ. In 2020, we made 6.1 million phone calls, sent out 3.1 million texts, and mailed 700,000 postcards. This year, we’ve made about 1.13 million calls. We’ve sent out 3.5 million texts, and mailed 478,000 postcards. And so far, we’ve knocked on 46,000 doors in our California congressional districts.
Being able to contact so many voters has been a very moving experience for me, as somebody who is passionate about getting out the vote and making sure that people are more connected civically. But also, we have this amazing youth program, which is actually how I got started with the HQ. In 2020, I started off as a volunteer fellow. Then the executive director decided to hire me part-time and then full-time, and now I’m the Field Director. I can personally vouch for how powerful our young Dems programming is. We’ve been able to train over 100 young activists to learn the basics of organizing, whether it be phone banking, understanding the basics of political fundraising, or learning how to be a good leader.
But on the flip side, I’m also a student. Balancing the many hours that campaigns demand in addition to pursuing a degree has been very challenging. But it’s something I’m more than happy to do, given how passionate I am about maintaining our democracy.
17: How do you protect your mental and emotional health while balancing your activism work and school?
MS: That’s a process I'm still learning. It’s very challenging, I’m not going to lie. You have to have self-discipline. You have to have strong time management skills, which takes a lot of practice. You also need to make sure that you devote time for yourself. Make sure that you get some sleep instead of no sleep. Make sure that you find at least one thing a day, whether it be going for a walk or calling a friend, to give yourself that extra boost needed to make it through.
17: What are your goals for the future?
MS: That’s honestly something I’m still thinking about. I know I definitely want to stay at the political end of work. I want to be involved, I want to help people make sure that they know how to stay civically engaged. But I’m also interested in doing some type of policy work that’s focused on human rights. I’m particularly interested in gender equity, ensuring that we promote it not just here in the United States, but globally.
17: What does being a Voice of Change honoree mean to you?
MS: It’s a huge honor. To be highlighted by a magazine that I grew up reading means the world. I was thrilled to be a part of this because I remember the Seventeen magazine I grew up with — it’s devoted to style and the latest trends, but I don’t really remember reading about social justice. I also never saw myself becoming very political, or becoming an activist. So to see the change that both Seventeen and myself have gone through, becoming social justice advocates, means a lot. I think it goes to show that when you work really hard, your work gets noticed.
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