Mehrangiz Dowlatshahi

Mehrangiz Dowlatshahi (; 13 December 1919 – 11 October 2008) was an Iranian social activist and politician, who held significant positions, including ambassador of Iran to Denmark during the Pahlavi era. She also served as a member of the Majlis for three terms.

Early life and education Her family were major land owners based in Kermanshah and were progressive aristocrats. Her father was Mohammad Ali Mirza (also known as Meshkout Al Dowleh), majlis member and land owner. He was a member of the Qajar dynasty.

Concerning the birth date and birthplace of Dowlatshahi there are some conflicting reports which were stated by herself. Abbas Milani states that she gave two different birth years, 1917 and 1919. The society offered training to women and advocated equal rights for them. She also launched adult literacy programs in southern Tehran. She was the director of the advisory committee on international affairs of the Women's Organization of Iran (WOI).

Dowlatshahi was elected to the Majles in 1963, being one of six female deputies. She served there until 1975. She represented Kermanshah at the Majlis for three terms. She significantly contributed to the passing of the family protection law in 1967 and to its expansion in 1974. She also served as the first minister of women affairs. She became the first woman ambassador of Imperial Iran to Denmark when she was appointed to the post in 1975.

Later years and death Dowlatshahi was serving as the Iranian ambassador in Denmark when the 1979 revolution occurred. Soon after this incident she left the country and settled in Paris. She published a book entitled Society, Government, and Iran’s Women’s Movement in 2002.

Awards and honors

In 1997, Dowlatshahi was named as the woman of the year by the Iranian Women's Studies Foundation in the United States.