Masoumeh Ebtekar, Iranian journalist, politician and scientist, first woman Vice President of Iran
Masoumeh Ebtekar (Persian: معصومه ابتکار; born Masoumeh Ebtekar; 21 September 1960) is former Vice President of Iran for Women and Family Affairs, from August 9, 2017, to September 1, 2021. She previously headed Department of Environment from 1997 to 2005, making her the first female member in the cabinet of Iran since 1979 and the third in history. She held the same level of office from 2013 to 2017. She is a full Professor at Tarbiat Modares University in the School of Medical Sciences, Immunology Department.
Ebtekar was nicknamed "Mary", when she was the spokeswoman of the students who took hostages and occupied the US Embassy in 1979. Later she became the head of the Environment Protection Organization of Iran during the administration of President Mohammad Khatami, and was a city councilwoman of Tehran from 2007 to 2013.