When I remembered that today was International Women’s Day, I immediately thought of Tahirih.
Tahirih was a 19th century poet and religious scholar, renowned for both her beauty and her intelligence. She was one of the first followers of the Báb, the forerunner to Bahá’u’lláh (the founder of the Bahá’í Faith), and she’s one of the religion’s great heroines. She was ultimately executed for refusing to give up her faith, and I can never tell the story of her final words without tearing up: “You can kill me as soon as you like, but you cannot stop the emancipation of women!”
It’s not uncommon for Bahá’í parents to name their daughters after Tahirih, either as a first or middle name, and when I first became a Bahá’í, I actually felt a little jealous that I hadn’t been named after this impressive woman. But, as it turns out, I was. Sort of.
Let me explain.
Tahirih was very insightful, and she understood that the Báb’s followers would need to detach themselves from many of the traditions of the past. As a result, one day, at a conference with other followers of the Báb, she appeared among the men without her veil.
The men were shocked and angry. One even stabbed himself in the throat (don’t worry, he apparently survived). Some of the men complained to the Báb of what they considered to be Tahirih’s indiscretion, and when they did so, He simply reminded them of the name that Bahá’u’lláh had given her.
Because, you see, Tahirih wasn’t born Tahirih. She was given that name by Bahá’u’lláh at the beginning of the aforementioned conference. It means “The Pure One”.
My parents gave me the name “Caitlin” (with the compromise that they would never actually call me that, but rather “Caity” instead). Do you know what “Caitlin” means?
It means “Pure”.
So, in a way, I was named after Tahirih. But perhaps not by my parents.
Today, on International Women’s Day, I’m thinking of my accidental namesake, and hoping that I may always be inspired by her courage, wisdom, and faith.
Caity Thinks 