the establishment of the tudeh party marked a defining moment in the history of iran's subaltern movements, introducing a distinct discourse of political struggle among various social groups. from its inception, the party sought to recruit members from diverse geographic and class backgrounds, emphasizing both territorial expansion and the dissemination of its ideological inclusiveness. this inclusivity was not limited to regions but extended to multiple social strata, forming a central strategy of the party's core leadership. within this framework, women—historically marginalized in iran's social structure—became a significant focus of the party's organizational policy. efforts to mobilize women and encourage their political participation constitute one of the most debated dimensions in twentieth‑century iranian social history.
in mazandaran, the provincial branch of the tudeh party succeeded in attracting both local and migrant women, transforming its activities into a broader social movement beyond formal organizational boundaries. however, the nature of women's membership in this branch possessed distinctive characteristics not clearly reflected in available primary sources. examining the lives of female activists—especially rāzieh ebrāhīmzādeh—reveals dominant social attitudes toward women's presence in political life.
using a descriptive–analytical approach and relying on archival documentation, written memoirs, and several brief interviews, this study reconstructs an evidence‑based narrative of women's participation in the tudeh party of northern iran and explores their contribution to the transformation of the region's political culture.