I was born in Iran, and studied in the European-style school systems there, where mathematics is emphasized. My family immigrated to the United States while I was in seventh grade. Although I did not speak English, I was more advanced in mathematics than my classmates, so my teachers encouraged me to take the more challenging mathematics courses. In college, I majored in mathematics. After graduation, I worked for a year at Bell Laboratories as a computer programmer.

At this point, I realized that I wanted a career in education, which required a graduate degree. So I entered graduate school at the University of Michigan, where I found the climate in the Department of Mathematics very chilly for women. During my first year of graduate work, I married. My first son, Iraj, was born while I was pursuing a PhD in mathematics. Writing a dissertation while caring for a new baby was the most challenging task I had ever encountered. At that time, women in my situation received very little support. My husband and I shared in the care of our son, but it was still very difficult.

In 1975, I received a PhD from the University of Toledo and started my college teaching career. My second son, Ramin, was born in September 1981, the only time I was obliged to take a semester's leave. My colleagues were not very supportive, and I experienced the first setback in my teaching career.