Akram Monfared Arya was born in Tehran in 1946 and is recognized as one of Iran’s most determined and active women. In 1974, while married and raising five young children, she pursued flight training on gliders and went on to fly single- and twin-engine aircraft - becoming, aside from Princess Fatemeh Pahlavi, the first woman in Iran to attain a pilot’s license.
Alongside her aviation ambitions, Akram worked as Director of Training and as a consultant for major insurance companies in Iran. To demonstrate women’s abilities in all spheres, she also earned qualifications to drive trucks and buses - challenging traditional gender boundaries.
After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Akram left Iran with her children, ultimately settling in Sweden. She established a new life there - opening a small restaurant in Jönköping while continuing to raise her family with strength and resilience.
In 1998, Akram began compiling her poetry and short stories written since 1975. Her first book Pejvak-e Eshq (translated as Love’s Echo) was published in Sweden in 1999, exploring themes of separation, homeland, exile and women’s rights. Her literary work spans several languages and genres, including poetry, novels and autobiographical writing.
Akram has published over a dozen books in Persian, Swedish and English, with several sold out and two translated works published abroad. She has been active in literary events, poetry readings, and cultural programs across Sweden and internationally. A member of the Swedish Writers’ Association and other artistic bodies, her work continues to inspire through its depth, courage and insight.
Her life story reflects relentless determination, creative expression, and the courage to reimagine freedom - embracing challenges with unwavering spirit.