Imam Khomeini, who changed Iran into center into genuine and pure Islam announced birthday Anniversary of Hadrat Fatimah Zahra (a) as Woman's Day.
Likewise, if you women here, indeed all our women all over the country, have accepted today as Women’s Day, that is, have accepted the day which marks the birthday of Hazrat Fatima Zahra, with all the perfection it represents and the position it enjoys, as Women’s Day, then you have a great task to perform, one which includes struggle, just as she struggled, to the best of her ability, during the short span of her life, addressing the governments of the time and passing judgment on them. To truly accept her birthday as Women’s Day, you must imitate her. To truly accept it you must follow her example in her renunciation of the things of this world, in her devotion and piety and in all the virtues she possessed. If you do not do this, then you have not entered into the true spirit of Women’s Day. Whoever does not accept these things has not entered into the true spirit of Women’s Day and has not recognized its true nature.
(2 March 1986 11 Isfand 1364 AHS)
Imam Khomeini stressed the need to follow footsteps to Hazrat Zahra (peace be upon her), her husband Imam Ali (AS), and the Infallible Imams of her lineage that preserved for humanity the genuine teachings of her Peerless Father, Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).
Imam Khomeini on various historic occasions regarding the way of life of Hazrat Fatima (upon whom be peace) said as following:
Strive to purify your character and to make your friends do likewise. Strive so that you react to the outrages committed against you. In your attempts to uphold all the qualities that make up the great character of woman, be as that unique woman, Hazrat Fatima Zahra, upon whom be peace, was. All of us should take our exemplar from Islam by looking at her and her children and being as she was. Strive to acquire learning and godliness, for learning is not the preserve of any one person, learning is for all, godliness is for all, and striving to acquire learning and achieve godliness is the duty of us all.
12 March 1985 (21 Isfand 1363 AHS)