Exploring the Affectability and Uniting of a Group of Educated Women of Mashhad under the Macro Policies of Reza Shah

One of the main fields that has got the attention of activists of women's rights after the Constitution was informing women of society and encouraging them to be more active in society. As a result of Reza Shah’s enthronement and his attention to the modernization project, the women whose activities were in line with the program of the ruling government were encouraged. The government even used schools for implementing its cultural program regarding women. This study sought to analyze and explicate the role of girls’ schools of Mashhad in advancing the women's movement. Using documents and newspapers, it tried to answer the question: What role the girls’ schools of Mashhad played in Reza Shah’s government in advancing the women's movement and the presence of women in the social arena? The results show that the schools played a significant role in awareness of women and their presence in society by providing trainings about health, housekeeping, and child caring. Other related activities were lecturing about the benefits of removing hijab, making women familiar with the activities of female students, establishing charity associations for empowering the needy women and children.