Vaeino Rissanen -- the first in Finland to become a Baha'i

Vaeino Rissanen (1909-1973)

He was the first in Finland to become a Baha'i in 1938 by Josephine Kruka, the "Mother of Finland". 
(The Baha'i World 1976-1979; Paragraph 171.3 footnotes of Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986)

Leonora Holsapple Armstrong -- “mother of the Bahá'ís of Brazil”

Leonora Holsapple Armstrong --“mother of the Bahá'ís of Brazil” 

(The Universal  House of Justice, message dated January 1977; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’)

Marion Jack -- an "immortal heroine", a "shining example to present and future generations"

Marion Jack (1866-1954)

Her courageous exploits in service to the Baha'i Faith inspired Shoghi Effendi to describe her as an "immortal heroine" and a "shining example to present and future generations." (The Baha'i World 1976-1979)

Marion Elizabeth Jack, circa 1885

Born in 1866, into a prominent family in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, Marion Jack attended school in London and Paris, where she encountered and immediately embraced the Baha'i Faith. From that day forward she was a pioneer; one who breaks new ground, one who paves the way for those who are to follow.

She spent some time in the Holy Land, and while there taught English to 'Abdu'l-Baha's grandchildren. In 1914 she returned to Canada and was among the first to respond to the call of the Divine Plan, pioneering to Alaska, and teaching in Toronto, Montreal, and elsewhere.

Rufino Gualavisi

Rufino Gualavisi

Rufino Gualavisi Farinango, a renowned indigenous Baha’i teacher, died March 23, 1990 in Otavalo, Ecuador. Mr. Gualavisi taught the Faith to thousands of indigenous people and campesinos and helped open many difficult areas of the country [Ecuador] to the Faith, often accompanied by his spiritual father and teaching companion, Counsellor Raul Pavon. Although beaten and imprisoned at various times, he remained steadfast and never once wavered in his teaching efforts. He is buried in the cemetery "Parques del Recuerdo" in Quito, on the left side and adjoining the resting place of his good friend and staunch admirer, the Hand of the Cause of God Rahmatu'llah Muhajir. On learning of Mr. Gualavisi's passing, the Universal House of Justice cabled the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador: "Deeply saddened news passing outstanding sacrificial teacher Cause God Rufino Gualavisi. His noble qualities, his loving nature, his immense services indigenous masses native land never to be forgotten and worthy source pride your community. Urge hold befitting memorial meetings his blessed memory throughout country. Assure fervent prayers Holy Threshold for progress his radiant soul Kingdom on high. Kindly extend heartfelt condolences family and friends." (Baha’i News, June 1990)

Robert Hayden

Robert Hayden

Robert Hayden, a native of Detroit, was a world-renowned poet and the first black to be named consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. For more than two decades he taught English and creative writing at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and at the time of his death was a professor of English at the University of Michigan. He authored more than a dozen books of poetry including American Journal (nominated for the National Book Award in 1978), Angle of Ascent, The Night-Blooming Cereus, Words in the Mourning Time, Heart-Shape in the Dust, Figure of Time and A Ballad of Remembrance (winner of the grand prize at the first World Festival of Negro Arts in Dakar, Senegal, in 1966). A Baha’i for many years, Robert  served for more than a decade as poetry editor of World Order magazine. (Adapted from Baha’i News, April 1990) 

Patricia Locke

Patricia Locke (right) and a young Baha'i woman from Pasto Grande, Bolivia, 1989.

Muhammad Arbab -- a Baha'i courier in early days of the Faith

Muhammad Arbab

Muhammad Arbab was born in Kashan, Persia, a place which was noted for the narrow-mindedness and fanaticism of its inhabitants. His mother was a believer and had received Tablets from Baha’u’llah. Though born of a Baha’i mother, Muhammad investigated the Cause thoroughly as a youth before accepting it most enthusiastically. This was a the time when Baha’u’llah had just declared His Manifestation in Baghdad (Iraq).

While in Kashan He was subjected to all sorts of hardships and persecutions on the part of the Muslims. He was once attacked by a fanatical mob, his house was set on fire and all his belongings pillaged. Following these hardships, Muhammad could find no other alternative but to quit his home town and emigrate to Tihran. He later managed to successfully engage in commercial pursuits for a period of fifty years. During all this time he was cleverly and tactfully giving the Message to the Mullas, merchants and notables with whom he had dealings. Among these were two well-known Muslim ecclesiastics, Mulla Ali Kani and Haji Aqa Muhammad Najm Abadi.

Arthur Dodge -- a Disciple of 'Abdu'l-Baha

Arthur and Elizabeth Dodge

Elizabeth Stewart -- Baha'i American nurse resident in Tihran, Persia, for many years

Elizabeth Stewart 

Elizabeth first heard of the Baha'i Movement in 1899 from her aunt M Isabella D. Brittingham, a Baha'i teacher. It is significant that the only question she asked was, "Are there any martyrs in this Cause?',' She possessed the spirit of the martyr, and lived the life of a humble maidservant, never aggressive, but always and sacrificing as a true Baha'i.

She was graduated from the Medico- Chirurgical hospital in Philadelphia in 1899 and in 1911 went to Tihran, Persia, to become the assistant to Dr. Susan I. Moody, who had preceded her by two years. Undoubtedly these two women saved hundreds of lives. Nursing patients with typhoid fever and other contagious diseases, Elizabeth succumbed to typhoid and later to amoebic dysentery, recovering her strength each time sufficiently to resume her professional services.

Lydia Zamenhof

Lydia Zamenhof, youngest daughter of Dr. Ludwig Zamenhof, creator of the Esperanto language

Dizzy Gillespie

Jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie shows his great pleasure during a tribute September 16, 1985, by the Baha'is of Los Angeles honoring his half-century in music. More than 500 people attended the gala event at the Los Angeles Baha'i Center. (Baha'i News December 1985)

Ruya Ishraghi and parents -- three Baha'i martyrs

Twenty-two-year old university student Ruya Ishraghi (right) with her father, Enayatu'llah Ishraghi, a retired oil company executive, and mother, Ezzat Janami Ishraghi. All three were executed in 1983 in Shiraz, Iran. 

(Baha'i News, April 1985) 

Eskil Ljungberg, a Knight of Baha'u'llah

Eskil Ljungberg, a Knight of Baha'u'llah in the Faroe Islands 

(Baha'i News, February 1985)

G.G. Paul - first translator of Baha'i Writings into Maori

G.G. Paul, first translator of Baha'i Writings into Maori 

(The Baha'i World 1932-1934)

Florence Evelyn Schopflocher

Florence Evelyn Schopflocher

She undertook travel teaching trips to Far East in 1920's.

Landing in Bengazi, Africa, in the Libyan desert. Florence is fourth from right.

Hands of the Cause of God 'Ali-Akbar Furutan and John Robarts

Hands of th Cause of God 'Ali-Akbar Furutan (left) and John Robarts embrace before addressing the International Youth Conference in Canada -- London, Ontario, August 25-27, 1984 (Baha'i News October 1984)

Pauline and Joseph Hannen

Pauline and Joseph Hannen, early Baha'is of Washington, D.C. They natured Louis Gregory's interest in the Baha'i Faith.

Mirza Abu'l-Fadl -- an Apostle of Baha’u’llah

Mirza Abu'l-Fadl

Dr. Susan Moody --Amatu’l-A’la (The Handmaid of the Most High), who “forged first link in (the) chain uniting (the) spiritual destinies” of Persia and the American Baha’i Community

Dr. Susan I. Moody

Cable from Shoghi Effendi on October 31, 1934:

Passing dearly beloved Susan Moody deprives Baha’i world (of the) far-famed pioneer who, through her indomitable spirit, ceaseless services, earned unique distinction. (She) forged first link in (the) chain uniting (the) spiritual destinies (of the) cradle of our Faith (i.e., Persia) and (the) community (of its) stalwart defenders in (the) great American Republic. (I am) instructing Persia rear monument perpetuating memory (of) her noble mission. (I) am gladly defraying whatever expense incurred as token (of) my admiration for community (i.e., America) to which she originally belonged and on which her consecrated life shed imperishable lustre. Advise hold befitting Memorial gathering (in) Temple Foundation Hall. 

(Signed) Shoghi.

(Baha'i News, no. 88, November 1934)

Zia and Zinat Baghdadi

Dr. Zia Baghdadi with his newly wed wife Zinat

Juliet Thompson and May Maxwell

Juliet Thompson(left) and May Maxwell

Antonio Cruz, first Baha'i of the Totonaco tribe in Veracruz, Mexica

Antonio Cruz, first Baha'i of the Totonaco tribe in Veracruz, Mexica (wearing traditional dress) 

(The Baha'i World 1979-1083)

Louis Bourgeois -- famous architect of the Mother Temple of the West

Louis Bourgeois

Effie Baker

Effie Baker, a Melbourne Baha'i who traveled through Australia and New Zealand in 1924 with Martha Root.

A message from the Guardian to the N.S.A. of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New-Zealand dated 3 January 1936 states:

“Miss Effie Baker is leaving for Australia with the consent and full approval of the Guardian. As you know for over ten years she has been devotedly working for the Cause in Haifa, as keeper of the Western Pilgrim House and also as the custodian of the International Bahá’í Archives. During this long period of service she has accomplished much for our beloved Cause, and she is now in need of some rest after so many years of strenuous labours.” (From a message written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Messages to Australia and New Zealand’)

Hidayatu'llah Dihqani -- a Baha'i martyr

Hidayatu'llah Dihqani, executed in Shiraz, Iran, on March 17, 1981

Dr. John Esslemont, Hand of the Cause of God

Dr. John Esslemont

Siyyid Mustafa Rumi, Hand of the Cause of God

Siyyid Mustafa Rumi

Siyyid Mustafa Rumi of Burma, named by the Guardian as one of the Hands of the Cause of Baha’u’llah, contributed his imperishable services from the year 1875, when he embraced the Faith through the inspired efforts of Jamal Effendi, the first teacher sent to India by the instruction of Baha’u’llah. He was nearly ninety-nine years old at the time of his tragic death at Thingagyun. (The Baha'i World 1944-1946)

Lua Getsinger -- “The immortal Lua, mother-teacher of the American Bahá'í Community, herald of the dawn of the Day of the Covenant …” (Shoghi Effendi, Messages to America), a Disciple of 'Abdu'l-Baha

Lua(Louisa) Moore Getsinger

Lua, studio portrait taken in the blue costume she had made for the numerous occasions when she was required to speak in public

Lua, a portrait taken in Paris. As a young woman Lua loved dressing up in fashionable clothes; later she gave them all away in obedience to 'Abdu'l-Baha's preference for simple dress.

Lucinda Louisa Aurora More Getsinger - 'Lua', circa 1897-9

Dr. Auguste Forel

Dr. Auguste Forel, distinguished scientist, scholar and humanitarian

Mountfort Mills and Fujita San

Mountfort Mills of New York and London, international lawyer and distinguished Baha'i who has represented the Baha'i Cause at Geneva and other important places, here pictured with Fujita San in Haifa, the little man who contributed a big service to the pilgrims.