She's been around 19 years and she's already changed the world.
Malala Yousafzai began making global headlines when she was shot in the head by a gunman associated with the Taliban while on her way to school in the Swat Valley. But she was making a name for herself before her tragic accident. Malala began writing a blog, under the pseudonym Gul Makai, for the BBC in 2009. She wrote about the Taliban's growing influence in the Swat Valley and what it was like for the average schoolgirl. It was at this time that the Taliban had banned all girls, and some boys, from attending classes. She spoke out about her wish to attend school and her experiences as she continued to attempt to study.
On October 9, 2012 Malala was on her way home from her small school. The bus was stopped and a Taliban gunman entered the bus. He asked for her by name and threatened to shoot all of the girls if she was not identified. She identified herself and was shot in the head. Two other girls were also shot. It was not until January of 2013, after countless surgeries and treatments, that Malala was released from the hospital in Birmingham, England.
But the shooting of an innocent girl is not what this article is about. This is about how Malala Yousafzai has started an international movement in under two decades.
In 2013, she addressed the United Nations for the first time. She spoke on the necessary of girls' education for a gathering of UN members and other young advocates. Malala delivered the line "One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen, can change the world. Education is the only solution," upon the closing of her speech. It was her sixteenth birthday.
It was also in 2013 that Malala and her father Ziauddin co-founded The Malala Fund , a global organization dedicated to raising awareness of the lack of girls' education around the globe. Through several different programs and the donations of thousands, this fund aims to take the number of girls out of school from 60 million to zero.
Her awe inspirirng story was released in her biography "I Am Malala" later that same year.
At 17, she was recognized for her efforts by being a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize that year. This stands as a formal recognition that young people can make enormous change.
She celebrated her 18th birthday in a way that is very atypical of many young adults. She opened a new school in Lebanon for Syrian refugees. She called out world leaders for their obsession with war and prompted them to "invest in books, not in bullets." A statement that pierced the hearts of many.
2015 was the year Malala became an adult, as well as the year her feature length film was released. "He Named Me Malala" provides an intimate look into her life. It shows that as much as she is the face of a revolution, she is a teenager first. And while I had loved Malala for many years prior to this film, seeing it gave me a newfound respect for her. She is the greatest role model I have--she is the woman I strive to be.
Malala Yousafzai wowed the world once again on her 19th birthday, only a few days ago. She visited the world's largest refugee camp in Kenya, and expressed her concerns with the country's plans to close the camp. She also said she visits a region where education is forgotten every year to "speak up for her unheard sisters."
She is the most inspiring person of my generation. I am honored to be able to grow as she grows and support her along the way. I have never been more inspired. I have never been more grateful for what I have been given. Happy Birthday Malala, I hope you know how loved you are.
Go to https://www.malala.org/ to see how you can get involved in the fight for girls' education across the world. Stand #withMalala.
