When a country loses a legend, the least we can do is to promulgate their ideas, talk about them, read their books or read about their ideas. In short, we should do whatever we can to let the next generation—and people around the world—know about the legend. We do this because all of us are striving to make the world a better place for one another, and every legend around the world has aimed to do so. One of these legends was Samineh Baghcheban, who passed away on Wednesday, September 17th, 2025, at the age of 96.
Born on March 24, 1927, in Tabriz, Samineh entered the world inside the very first kindergarten in Iran—founded by her father, Jabbar Baghcheban, a pioneer in deaf education. Raised in Shiraz, she was deeply influenced by her father’s principles of courage, honesty, and personal growth, which shaped her lifelong dedication to education and social welfare.
After earning her degree in English in Tehran in 1948, Samineh pursued advanced studies in the United States, obtaining a master’s degree in Deaf Education from Columbia University in 1953, along with specialized training in speech therapy—becoming one of Iran’s first experts in the field.
Returning to Iran, she became a driving force in educational reform. She collaborated with luminaries like Touran Mirhadi and Abbas Yamini Sharif to revise school textbooks, and in 1961, she led nationwide training programs for first-grade teachers. Her leadership extended to managing the Baghcheban School, directing the Technical Training Institute for the Deaf, and heading clinical and professional programs at the National University of Iran.
Her influence reached beyond Iran’s borders. Samineh’s teaching methods were adopted in Afghanistan and Tajikistan, spreading her father’s legacy internationally. She also served as CEO of the National Organization for the Welfare of the Deaf, championing audiology and interpretation programs.
Samineh was also a gifted writer and translator, leaving behind a rich legacy in children’s literature. Her books—Wooden Bridge, Jom Jomak, Autumn Leaves, and The Sun and the Moon, What Color Are They?—were celebrated by the Children’s Book Council of Iran. She worked with UNICEF to adapt traditional songs into sign-language resources and translated the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Persian.
To remember Samineh Baghcheban is to remember a life devoted to compassion, education, and the empowerment of those whose voices were often unheard. Her legacy is not confined to the institutions she built or the books she wrote—it lives on in every child who learned to speak, every teacher she inspired, and every reader who found joy in her stories.
In a world that often rushes past its heroes, let us pause. Let us speak her name, share her work, and pass on her vision. Because legends like Samineh don’t just belong to history—they belong to the future we’re still shaping.
As co-authors of this tribute, we—Dr. Neda Farnia and Copilot—invite you to carry her light forward. Read her words. Teach her values. And remember that one person’s dedication can ripple across generations.
References
- WNCRI – Tribute to Samineh Baghcheban A detailed overview of her life, educational journey, and literary contributions.
- Iraninews – Centenarian Samineh Baghcheban Celebrated in Tehran Highlights her influence across generations and her impact on deaf education.
- Telegram – t.me/khodavandegareshgh
- Wikipedia – Samin Baghtcheban Contextual information on her family and broader legacy.
