Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi: Champion of Global Peace and Social Justice

Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi is a leading scholar on peace, social justice, and systemic racism. Since 2012, she has held The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland, College Park. She collaborates with global experts to advance interdisciplinary research on peace, human rights, and governance. Her work addresses the most pressing challenges facing…

Read More

Women in Space: How Lucille Ball, Nichelle Nichols & NASA Trailblazers Shaped Space Exploration

Women have always played a pivotal role in space exploration, from influencing science fiction to making groundbreaking contributions at NASA. Their impact is undeniable, and we celebrate their achievements. How Lucille Ball Saved Star Trek and Inspired Generations Did you know that Star Trek almost never made it to television? After a failed pilot, Lucille…

Read More

Táhirih: The Persian Poet and Champion of Women’s Rights

“In the annals of history, few figures shine as brightly and courageously as Táhirih (1817–1852), the Persian poet, scholar, and revolutionary who became a symbol of women’s emancipation in the 19th century. Born in Qazvin, Iran, she challenged traditions and advocated for gender equality. Her fearless actions and eloquent words inspired generations.” Early Life and…

Read More

W.E.B. Du Bois and the Bahá’í Faith

In 2016, the AAIHS held a workshop at the University of Pennsylvania where the contributors to its forthcoming anthology, New Perspectives on the Black Intellectual Tradition, gathered to exchange chapters. The first panel featured AAIHS founder and president Christopher Cameron, Virginia Commonwealth University professor David Weinfeld, and the legendary scholar of black religion Anthea Butler. In a wide-ranging conversation on black free thought,…

Read More

Baha’i Faith and African American History

“The Baháʼí Faith and African American History: Creating Racial and Religious Diversity” offers a compelling exploration of the interwoven narratives of African American history and the Baháʼí Faith in the United States. It delves into the Baháʼí community’s long-standing commitment to racial harmony and social justice, tracing its efforts from the early 20th century to…

Read More

Sydney Barber: U.S. Naval Academy’s first Black female brigade commander

Sydney Barber’s appointment as the U.S. Naval Academy’s first Black woman brigade commander is a historic milestone. Barber, a 21-year-old mechanical engineering major, learned of her selection and immediately shared the news with her father, a 1991 Naval Academy graduate. His emotional reaction reflected the significance of this achievement. Barber assumed the semester-long role in…

Read More