Outstanding: Elahe Amani

By Maria Vega, On-line Forty-Niner

May 12,1998

Power from within is what Elahe Amani says drives her to accomplish an array of tasks on and off campus.

 

Amani, disbursements supervisor and part-time women's studies lecturer, was recently named the Cal State Long Beach Outstanding Staff Member of 1998.

 

"I was so surprised and honored to be nominated," Amani said. "I never imagined I would get the majority of votes."

 

All CSULB staff employees, including Amani, were eligible to vote from among six candidates.

 

"I didn't vote for myself because it would have been unethical," Amani said. "It wouldn't have been fair if I had won because of my vote."

 

Besides working full time at CSULB since 1988 and lecturing part time, Amani is also an impassioned activist in the Iranian community.

 

"As an activist for gender equality, I am very concerned with global issues relating to this topic," Amani said. "I try to educate myself as much as I can."

 

Amani immigrated to the United States from Iran in 1974.

 

It is important to Amani to make an impact in her community. She achieves this goal by educating and helping other immigrants adapt to American society.

 

---

 

"My philosophy in life is to be a good human being and to have

respect and dignity."

 

-Elahe Amani

"My philosophy in life is to be a good human being and to have respect and dignity," Amani said. "[I like to] treat everyone equally and participate actively to bring people together and make positive impacts."

 

Amani also teaches History of Women in a Global Perspective, a course in the women's studies department.

 

"She is very patient, inclusive and full of knowledge about women in every culture," said Alison Young, a senior journalism major at CSULB. "She is very informed and up to date."

 

Amani admits her class is not easy, but she hopes students obtain a higher level of understanding of the issue.

 

"What I really like about the class is that it gives you a good perspective, not only of women today, but how they got there," Young said.

 

Amani said it is hard balancing her busy life with a demanding full-time job, teaching and family, but she does it all by being extremely organized.

 

"It takes lots of perseverance and commitment, but I like it because it energizes me to keep going," she said.

 

Amani plans to work on her doctorate in a few years. She is uncertain what field it will be in, but hopes to relate it to women's issues.

 

As an immigrant, Amani said she has the responsibility of having an extended family here besides her husband and children.

 

Her husband, Mohsen Mirhosseini, a CSULB alumnus, daughter, Bahar, and son, Behrang, will be attending the award ceremony.

 

The Distinguished Faculty Awards presentation will be held May 14.

---