Interview with Dr. Fariba Parsa, Visiting Scholar, Founder and President of WELL

This is a short interview conducted with Dr. Fariba Parsa, Founder and President of WELL - Women's E-Learning in Leadership. The organization originated at George Mason University and is on the way to becoming a non-profit organization (501(c)(3)).

What is the history behind the creation of WELL?

To answer your question, I will share a little bit of my history. I was born and raised in Iran where I witnessed the Islamic revolution, saw many buildings burn, gun shots, blood, and tear gas. In 1981, the war with Iraq began and at school we learned about different types of guns in class, and subsequently each of us was given a gun. I was only 15 years old when I became politically active against the Islamic regime in Iran. I initiated a school “newsweek” with some of my friends where we wrote critical short articles about the war with Iraq, the American hostages situation, corruption, and the lack of freedom. My parents were worried that at any time I could be arrested, imprisoned, or killed and I left Iran when I was 17 years old. Just a few weeks after, the Revolutionary Guard came to my parents’ house to arrest me.

I moved to India, Germany, and later to Denmark, where I became a citizen. While I was getting used to living in my new home, I was always thinking about how I could still help Iran to become a developed and free democratic country.  I studied political science at Copenhagen University and I was active in a range of organizations. Later I became a speaker and specialist on political and women's issues in Iran. My 27 years in Denmark were spent focusing on studying, learning, and being an active citizen. I finished my Master’s Degree in Political Science and I received my Ph.D. in Social Science.

I moved to the U.S. in 2010 on a fellowship at Harvard University. Living in the U.S. and meeting hundreds of scholars from all over the world influenced my thinking and feelings. My friends were from all over the world with different cultures and religions. I met several women leaders who said we needed more women leaders and I aimed to use my time and energy to develop myself to become a leader. Later, I understood leadership was not about me, and how much I could advance myself. Rather, leadership was about other people and how much I could advance their life. I thought if we used new technology to educate thousands of women in leadership skills, we could make changes toward peace and prosperity. 
 
In August 2014, I got a 9-month term job as an assistant research professor at the Women and Gender Studies department at George Mason University. I taught a course titled, "Women, Democracy, and Islam" and at the same time I applied for grants for developing an online leadership program for women. The process of forming WELL began in 2014. I contacted faculty members at Mason, students, and other women from non-profit organization in Washington D.C, and I also I started to focus on grants. Director Angie Hattery is the individual who believed in me and encouraged me to continue be affiliated to Women and Gender Studies and with her help, the concept behind WELL became a reality.

What is the goal or mission of WELL and how do you envision or plan to accomplish them?

The WELL project strives to mobilize and organize female students through student unions at Mason and other universities. The students who become part of the organization can organize educational events and network with local women organizations and universities worldwide for advancing equity for women.

WELL’s e-mentoring program initiative will also look to mobilize volunteers in civil society to be mentors to our students. We will work with a range of technical resources to development a web-based mentorship including new and easy access to the platform via smart phones, tablets, and computers. A mentor can also support a student in their efforts to lead an organization or to start their own business.

E-mentoring under WELL will be a strategic tool that will accelerate leadership development and readiness, as well as create a global network of female students worldwide for exchanging ideas. We hope to create a world where women and men have equal influence and leadership opportunities in the civic, economic, and political spheres.

What have been some of WELL's accomplishments to date?

WELL has been registered as a corporation in Virginia and in the early part of this year we will be an official non-profit organization. As an organization, we have established a community of women who are interested in women's leadership.

We have organized several events, such as panel discussions, workshops, lectures, and focus groups. We are becoming more visible on social media, like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. We also have a website, which has information on everyone involved with WELL and videos highlighting our activities.  

Who are some of the individuals involved in the formation of the organization and how did you come together to create this organization?

I began to identify some women leaders and faculties and asked if they would like to be an advisor for the women's leadership project. Many jumped at the idea. As time passed, more women leaders, professionals and students have become involved. Among them are Dr. Beth Cabrera, Dr. Sandy Cheldelin, and Dr. Angie Hattery—all from Mason. I am so fortunate to have met several students who have also helped me with this project, including two film students who made a documentary about WELL. Another student, who later became an intern, also made a logo for the organization and developed the website. Other students made several flyers for us. One staff member from the Office of Inclusion and Diversity also helped with writing reports, and organizing events. Today we have a team of five students who work with WELL and they help with , non-profit organization legal work and fundraising.

Do you have any concluding remarks?

This organization was born in five different countries and there are many ways that individuals can contribute to the WELL project. Whether you are a student or a professor, you can be involved through student unions or just like our Facebook or visit our website to be a friend of WELL and you will be updated with all our projects. We also welcome donations. For more information about WELL, contact me at: [email protected] or visit the website at: https://wellforpeace.org/about/