Next Generation Indie Book Awards
1 appearances
-
Edition 15 (2021) Winner
Nina Ansary
ニナ・アンサリー
Nina Ansary
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1966-01-01 （Tehran, Iran）
- Nationality
- Iranian–American
- Languages
- English, Persian
- Residence History
- Tehran (birth) → New York (adolescence onward)
Career
- Occupations
- Historian, Writer, Researcher, Women's rights advocate
- Active Years
- 1990-
- Affiliations
- University of Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum (international advisory board), London School of Economics (visiting fellow, Centre for Women, Peace and Security), World Affairs Councils of America (Director, Global Women's Lecture Series)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnard College (Columbia University) | Undergraduate (Middle Eastern Studies & Political Science) | Middle Eastern Studies & Political Science | Bachelor's degree | — | United States |
| Columbia University (Graduate School) | Graduate School | Middle Eastern Studies / related fields | Master's degree / Ph.D. | — | United States |
Barnard College (Columbia University)
Undergraduate (Middle Eastern Studies & Political Science)
/ Middle Eastern Studies & Political Science
Degree:
Bachelor's degree
Country:
United States
Earned bachelor's degree with majors in Middle Eastern studies and political science
Columbia University (Graduate School)
Graduate School
/ Middle Eastern Studies / related fields
Degree:
Master's degree / Ph.D.
Country:
United States
Earned master's and doctoral degrees; doctoral thesis later formed basis of her book
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Ellis Island Medal of Honor | — | — | Ellis Island Honors Society | 受賞 |
| 2015 | Women's eNews '21 Leaders of the 21st Century' | — | — | Women's eNews | 選出 |
| 2018 | Barnard College Trailblazer Award | — | — | Barnard College | 受賞 |
| 2020 | Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Alumni Award | — | — | Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences | 受賞 |
| 2015 | Multiple awards for 'Jewels of Allah' (International Book Award, Eric Hoffer Award, Indie Book Award, ForeWord IndieFab, etc.) | Jewels of Allah: The Untold Story of Women in Iran | 書籍賞 | Various publishing organizations | 受賞（複数） |
Ellis Island Medal of Honor
2019
Organization:
Ellis Island Honors Society
Result:
受賞
Women's eNews '21 Leaders of the 21st Century'
2015
Organization:
Women's eNews
Result:
選出
Barnard College Trailblazer Award
2018
Organization:
Barnard College
Result:
受賞
Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Alumni Award
2020
Organization:
Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Result:
受賞
Multiple awards for 'Jewels of Allah' (International Book Award, Eric Hoffer Award, Indie Book Award, ForeWord IndieFab, etc.)
2015
Work:
Jewels of Allah: The Untold Story of Women in Iran
Category:
書籍賞
Organization:
Various publishing organizations
Result:
受賞（複数）
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Jewels of Allah: The Untold Story of Women in Iran
2015 Non-fiction (History / Women's studies)Based on her doctoral thesis, this book highlights pioneering Iranian women and the unexpected factors that led to a feminist movement within a post-revolutionary patriarchal society. It documents advances in education and civic life among Iranian women despite restrictive laws.
Women's historyEducationContemporary Iranian historyGender and legal systems
Anonymous Is a Woman: A Global Chronicle of Gender Inequality
2020 Non-fiction (Gender studies / Social history)This book examines the roots of institutionalized gender discrimination through global historical case studies. Mixing historical evidence and narratives, it illuminates women's contributions across fields and the structures that have silenced them.
Gender inequalityHistorical analysisVisibility of women's achievements
Bibliography
- Jewels of Allah: The Untold Story of Women in Iran (2015)
- Anonymous Is a Woman: A Global Chronicle of Gender Inequality (2020)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Analytical, evidence-based narrativeAccessible explanatory prose for general readersCombines academic grounding with narrative elements
- Recurring Motifs
- Women's resilience and agencyImportance of educationLegal systems and social change
Legacy
Nina Ansary has contributed to correcting misconceptions and increasing the visibility of women through her research on women's history and gender inequality in Iran and globally. Her academic work translated for general audiences has influenced policy discussions and public understanding.
Academic Societies
- University of Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum (advisory board)
- London School of Economics Centre for Women, Peace and Security (visiting fellow)
In Popular Culture
- Appearances on Larry King, BBC, CNN, Fox News and other major media outlets
- Cited in coverage of Iran-related works such as the film 'Desert Dancer'
Quotes
-
They continue to fight an uphill battle and demonstrate their resilience.
Source: Author statement (book / interview) (2015)
Trivia
- Donated profits from her first book to charities aiding disadvantaged girls and women in Iran.
- Named one of Women's eNews '21 Leaders of the 21st Century' (2015).
- Recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor (2019).