A View into Our Program;
Art, Healing, and Empowerment in Action.
Woman Life Freedom
Quilt Project
Women Life Freedom Quilt A global, collaborative art project inspired by the AIDS Memorial Quilt, this program honors women’s resistance and voices through storytelling and textile-based art. Participants create quilt squares using stitching, painting, mixed media, calligraphy, and cultural symbolism—transforming grief into beauty and memory into protest. Workshops are offered across communities, including Iranian, Afghan, Pacific Islander, South American, and American women. We’ve partnered with high schools, senior centers, refugee service providers, and even corporate campuses in the Bay Area. Over 600 quilt pieces have been collected, with 55+ panels completed and exhibited in 20+ public installations across California. This program creates space for cross-cultural healing and storytelling—one stitch at a time—until Woman, Life, Freedom is a lived reality for all.
TARGET GROUP:
Supporters of gender equality and freedom movements, including human rights advocates, feminist artists, and members of the Iranian and global community committed to social justice.
KEYWORDS / TAGS:
art activism, women life freedom, Iranian women, protest art, human rights, community quilt, gender equality, social justice, Jina Mahsa Amini, empowerment, textile art, resistance, collective art, diaspora voices, storytelling, community building, healing, raising awareness
IT IS MY TURN!
A trauma-informed art workshop series for Afghan refugee women, focused on healing, storytelling, and empowerment through creative expression.
Each session weaves together gentle chair yoga and breathing, a guided discussion on life topics (such as self-worth, boundaries, or emotional expression), and a hands-on art activity using textile, clay, or mixed media.
Offered in 12–18 sessions, the program supports emotional well-being, builds community, and fosters resilience in a culturally responsive environment.
TARGET GROUP:
Afghan high school girls navigating resettlement, identity, and adolescence—seeking a safe, creative space to build confidence, community, and life skills through art and conversation.
KEYWORDS / TAGS:
Afghan girls, refugee youth, high school girls, girls’ empowerment, art-based healing, youth leadership, creative expression, life skills, confidence building, cultural identity, emotional wellness, storytelling, group support, teen resilience, safe space for girls, holistic development, self-esteem, youth voice, community connection, trauma-informed support, Bay Area youth programs
Target Group:
Listening Circle
Rooted in Native American tradition, our Farsi-language Listening Circle offers a safe, non-judgmental space to be present, heard, and seen. In response to the recent war involving Iran, Israel, and the U.S.—and the ongoing collective trauma faced by our diaspora community—these weekly online gatherings (Tuesdays at 8 PM & Thursdays at 6 PM PT) create space for healing, connection, and belonging. We also inspire and support others who wish to start their own circles within their families, friend groups, and local communities.
TARGET GROUP:
Open to the public, primarily for Farsi-speaking adults. For many, this is the first time experiencing a safe, nonjudgmental space to be seen, heard, and held in their native language.
KEYWORDS / TAGS:
Farsi-speaking community, emotional wellness, active listening, mindfulness, healing space, peacebuilding, mental health support, group dialogue, cultural connection, trauma-informed care, community healing, refugee voices, safe space, nonjudgmental listening, self-reflection, collective care, holistic wellness, virtual healing space, Persian community support
Let Her Shine!
Let Her Shine is a 12–18 session workshop series designed for high school refugee and immigrant girls to build self-esteem, emotional resilience, and a sense of belonging. Each session nurtures the body, mind, and soul through three core components: gentle chair yoga and breathing , visual and tactile art activities , and group dialogue around a life skill topic —ranging from self-worth to boundary setting. Rooted in a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach, the program empowers participants to explore their strengths and envision pathways toward education and career. Sessions are offered in English, Farsi, or multilingual formats based on community needs.
TARGET GROUP:
Open to the public, primarily for Farsi-speaking adults. For many, this is the first time experiencing a safe, nonjudgmental space to be seen, heard, and held in their native language.
KEYWORDS / TAGS:
Farsi-speaking community, emotional wellness, active listening, mindfulness, healing space, peacebuilding, mental health support, group dialogue, cultural connection, trauma-informed care, community healing, refugee voices, safe space, nonjudgmental listening, self-reflection, collective care, holistic wellness, virtual healing space, Persian community support
25 Cities/
25 RED Shoes
Red Shoes Scream from
Iran & Afghanistan
Project Overview: Inspired by Elina Chauvet’s "Red Shoes" installation, "25 Shoes / 25 Cities" is a global participatory art campaign organized by Iranian Women in Network (IWIN) to raise awareness of gender-based violence (GBV) in Iran and Afghanistan. On November 25, 2025, installations of 25 pairs of red shoes will be displayed in 25+ cities around the world, each representing lives lost to femicide.
Objectives:
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Raise global awareness of GBV in Iran and Afghanistan
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Build cross-cultural solidarity and foster civic expression
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Engage Afghan and Iranian youth in art-making as resistance
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Document and share via a digital video archive
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Support underground women’s shelters
TARGET GROUP:
Artists, activists, youth, and community allies around the world committed to honoring the lives of Iranian and Afghan women lost to gender-based violence—and amplifying their voices through public art and collective remembrance.
KEYWORDS / TAGS:
Red Shoes, Elina Chauvet, 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, gender-based violence, artivism, public art, protest art, remembrance, Afghan women, Iranian women, women’s rights, collective mourning, feminist art, youth-led activism, global solidarity, storytelling through art, justice for women, visual activism, community installations, #25Cities25Shoes, #RedShoesProject, #ElinaChauvet, #WomanLifeFreedom, #زن_زندگی_آزادی, #IWIN_Artivism, #JusticeThroughArt, #zan_honar_tavanaie
WISDOM TEA
Wisdom Tea is a warm and welcoming weekly Zoom gathering for elder women in our community—mostly in their 70s, 80s, and beyond. Each session offers space to share poetry, reflect on meaningful topics, sing, laugh, and simply enjoy one another’s company. For many participants who can’t easily leave home, Wisdom Tea is more than a social hour—it’s a lifeline of connection, creativity, and joy. This is our way of honoring the wisdom of our elders and helping them stay as vibrant and engaged as ever.
What began as a simple Zoom call during the COVID shutdown has grown into a cherished tradition. For the past five years, the group has met every week—rain or shine—and even traveled together three times. Many participants now say, “This has become one of the most meaningful parts of our weekly life.” It’s a beautiful reminder that even virtual spaces can grow into real, lasting community.
TARGET GROUP:
Artists, activists, youth, and community allies around the world committed to honoring the lives of Iranian and Afghan women lost to gender-based violence—and amplifying their voices through public art and collective remembrance.
KEYWORDS / TAGS:
Farsi-speaking seniors, virtual community, aging with dignity, emotional wellness, senior well-being, social connection, creative aging, intergenerational wisdom, cultural storytelling, poetry sharing, joyful aging, healing through community, COVID-born programs, lifelong friendships, golden years, senior empowerment, online support group, resilience through connection, women’s circle, holistic aging, #WisdomTea, #GoldenYears, #FarsiSeniors, #IWIN_Artivism,
