International Woman's Day ~ March 8, 2026 A Father's Promise

Transitioning from Iran to America

I spent the first years of my childhood in Iran, where women’s rights were severely restricted. The mandatory hijab was strictly enforced, and women faced legal inequality in marriage, divorce, and child custody and no autonomy over the reproductive healthcare decisions. Many women—including my own mother—were denied opportunities and barred from certain careers. That's their reality, and it should never become ours. 

When my family fled Iran and came to America when I was eight years old, I saw another way of life. I grew up surrounded by powerful women—teachers, supervisors, friends, and even members of Congress—who showed me what leadership looks like. 

While much work remains, the actions of these women and their predecessors–spanning from the early women's rights movement to the more recent “Me Too” movement–have inspired and bettered the lives of generations of women and people around the world, including the lives of my aunts and cousins abroad. It's one of the reasons I am proud to be American and one of the main reasons I decided to run and continue to do my part in contributing to that progress.

Becoming a husband, father, godfather, and better listener 

In 2012, I met my wife, Clare, and was immediately struck by her strength and conviction. Ten years ago, she gave birth to our brilliant, creative daughter, who continues to amaze me and teach me every day. 

Like every parent, I want my daughter to grow up in a country where her rights are protected, her opportunities are limitless, and her voice is elevated and respected. Every woman and girl deserves that same future. 

My commitment to women’s rights has also been shaped by the remarkable women around me—family members, friends, colleagues, and mentors who have challenged me to listen, learn, and grow. Clare, who is a researcher, spent years building evidence for comprehensive sex education programs and support for new mothers. My campaign manager, Elise Young, has worked around the world to advance women’s leadership and economic empowerment. 

Like many people, my understanding of these issues has grown over time. The women in my life have helped me see the barriers women face and the privileges that many men, including myself, often take for granted. Reproductive healthcare is a core part of that reality. That's why every woman's reproductive healthcare decisions–including those around abortion–should be treated with empathy and care. As a result, it's imperative that the Roe standard be codified into federal law. No politician in DC or Charleston should have the power to dictate that decision for a woman in Morgantown, Weirton, Martinsburg, or Wheeling. 

Our 13-year-old goddaughter has also taught me much about the intersection of women’s rights and disability rights. She is a brilliant teenager who identifies as autistic and with a genetic disorder. Like many girls with disabilities, she was misdiagnosed for years before finally receiving the support she needed. Watching her journey opened my eyes to how often girls with disabilities are overlooked in our healthcare and education systems.

It shouldn’t be that hard for a girl to get the care she needs. It shouldn’t take years for people to listen.

The march for women’s rights from 2017 to the present 

In 2017, I marched in the Women’s March in DC alongside Elise and her husband Mark, holding my baby daughter so she could be part of history in the making. It was a powerful moment—and a reminder of what we are fighting for. 

Today, we are at a dangerous crossroads where the lives, health, and futures of the women and girls we love—our daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and friends—are being put at risk by an extreme agenda that refuses to value their worth. Healthcare costs continue to rise, often placing a disproportionate burden on women. And the gender wage and benefits gap persists. In West Virginia, these challenges are even more pronounced than the rest of the country, with many communities facing severe shortages in maternal healthcare.

Ensuring West Virginian women have the jobs, good health, and wellness they deserve also requires recognizing the enormous caregiving burden they carry. Across West Virginia and the nation, women spend on average at least twice as much time as men on childcare and other unpaid labor. They are also far more likely to step away from work to care for children, aging parents, or family members with disabilities—often without adequate support.

In West Virginia, these challenges are especially visible. Families struggle to find affordable childcare, mothers navigate healthcare systems stretched to the breaking point, and many women juggle paid work, caregiving, and community responsibilities with little help.

For West Virginia to thrive, women must have the resources, opportunities, and decision-making power they need to build healthy families, careers, and communities. That means fighting for affordable childcare, accessible reproductive healthcare, strong public schools, equal pay for equal work, and economic opportunities that allow women and families to thrive.

On this International Women’s Day, I am grateful for the women who have shaped my life and helped me grow—not just as a candidate, but as a son, husband, father, and friend.

I promise to keep listening, keep learning, and keep fighting to build a West Virginia where every woman and girl has the freedom and opportunity to thrive.   ~ Ace