Betty Mahmoody

Betty Mahmoody (Courtesy of www.aeispeakers.com)

Pulitzer Prize nominated author, President and co-founder of ONE WORLD: FOR CHILDREN, consultant to the Michigan State Department on International kidnapping, public speaker, loving mother, and a woman of courage. My hero is Betty Mahmoody. In August of 1984, Betty Mahmoody went on a trip to Iran with her husband, Moody, and their daughter Mahtob. Moody wanted to visit his family in Teheran, Iran. He told Betty that they would return within weeks time, however once the trip was over, he refused to let them leave. Over the duration of the trip, Betty`s husband had re-dedicated himself to the Shiite Muslim faith, and Betty and Mahtob became virtual prisoners in a country where women have no rights, and Americans were despised. For 18 months, Betty lived in fear of her husband, and secretly plotted her escape.

Betty`s story, and daring 500-mile escape to freedom, was published and a Pulitzer Prize nominated, best selling book, “Not Without My Daughter“. "From the first day that he told me I couldn't come back, I considered myself a hostage," Betty writes. Betty`s husband became more and more hostile, as he would separate Betty from her daughter for weeks at a time. Betty was beaten and told if she ever tried to leave the house, or call for help, she would be killed. One afternoon, Betty managed to sneak out and she sought help from the American Embassy. "When I told them my situation they said that from the moment I married an Iranian, I became a citizen under Iranian law. There was nothing they could do for me." Betty continued to search desperately for a way out. Many people offered advice, and said the escape would be easier if she left Mahtob behind. But Betty would not leave without her daughter. Finally, someone offered to help. Thus began a risky, and treacherous escape route, in which Betty and Mahtob were driven at night from Teheran to the mountains in the north, that bordered Iran and Turkey. "We had to walk up some of the mountains because they were too steep for the horses," Betty explains. "And I was so exhausted. When we started to go up the last mountains my legs just gave out. I was paralyzed from the waist down." The guides dragged Betty and carried Mahtob to freedom.

Betty`s story of her two years in Iran, and dangerous escape is inspiring. Betty and Mahtob are now living in America under assumed names. "We have so much freedom. I want people to read this story and appreciate their freedom. When they see the American flag or the Statue of Liberty, I want those things to mean to everyone what they now mean to me." Since returning from Iran, Betty has been helping hundreds of others in similar situations. She has founded, and is president of an organization dedicated to helping children faced with situations similar to hers, called ONE WORLD: FOR CHILDREN. Betty also acts as a consultant to the Michigan State Department on international kidnapping, and was also "the chief investigator for legislation passed in Michigan relating to international kidnapping."

'Not Without My Daughter' DVD cover (courtesy of en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_Without_My_Daughter)

Betty received the Outstanding Woman of the Year Award in 1990, from Oakland University and as the Most Courageous Woman of the Year and Woman of the Year in Germany. Betty has appeared on numerous talk shows, including: 20/20 with Barbara Walters, Larry King, Donahue, Dr. Phil, Oprah Winfrey, and Sally Jesse Raphael, among countless other national and international radio shows. She has also appeared on countless radio shows, and currently lectures around the country. Her story, “Not Without My Daughter“, was adapted to a film in 1991.

Betty’s story is one of courage, resourcefulness, and hope. She has touched the lives of many with her story, including mine. She inspires me to live life to the fullest, not take my freedom for granted, to reach out to those in need, and to never give up. The way she uses her experience to help others to this day is admirable. She is truly an extraordinary woman, which is why I am proud to call Betty Mahmoody My Hero!