[1] In the 1990s, as a young physics student, Mohammadi was already distinguishing herself as an advocate for equality and women's rights.

In 2003, she became involved with the Defenders of Human Rights Center in Tehran, which was founded by her fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Shirin Ebadi.

In 2011, Mohammadi was arrested for the first time, and was sentenced to many years of imprisonment for her efforts to assist incarcerated activists and their families.

Her activism against the death penalty led to her re-arrest in 2015, and to a sentence of additional years behind bars.

The prison authorities responded by imposing even stricter conditions, and she was prohibited from receiving phone calls and visitors.