Shirin Ebadi, winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize

Last year, it was another strong woman who won the Nobel Peace Prize—Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian lawyer and human rights activist.

As a lawyer, Shirin has consistently used the courts to fight for those unable to fight for themselves. Her work in the courtroom has led to a battle against Iran’s discriminatory laws against women, and to a push to provide more protection for children and political detainees. In fact, in the 1990s, Ebadi created the first independent human rights organization in Iran: the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child.

Like Wangari, her work has come at a cost. She too has had threats to her personal safety. She too has faced imprisonment because of her views. She has even been suspended from legal practice in her country. Her crime? Promoting peaceful, democratic solutions for social problems.

She’s a woman who walks her talk. When asked about the persecution she has faced, and what others can do to help, she replied, “Have confidence, have courage, and know that if we work hard, our struggle will be victorious.”