The Big, Brown Suitcase

Raised in a traditional Iranian family, eighteen-year-old Parvin Kolahdooz feltincreasingly restricted after the 1979 Islamic revolution. She was trapped ina society where just a few strands of her hair showing from under her hijabcould land her in jail, where her fatherlessness left her increasingly vulnerableto being given away in marriage, and where venturing alone put her at risk ofsexual harassment or death. Left with no other choice, Parvin prepared to flee.In a candid retelling of her escape from an oppressive regime to gain freedom,Parvin leads others through her courageous journey as she purchased a bigbrown suitcase and made her first trip alone to apply for a US student visawhere she was confronted, at gunpoint, during the hostage crisis at the Americanembassy. As she details the numerous social, political, and personal challengesthat followed, Parvin reveals how she remained steadfast in her pursuit offreedom, confronted inner conflicts stemming from generational beliefs, andultimately tapped into an inner strength that paved a clear path to freedom.The Big Brown Suitcase is the inspiring true story of a young Iranian woman'sescape from an oppressive regime to gain freedom, change her beliefs, andstep into the life she desired.