Dear Malala,

You are eighteen years old and have spoken at the United Nations about educating females, written a book, and have been in a movie. What achievements for an 18-year-old girl! The downside? All of the above happened because you were stood up for women’s education, and were shot by the Taliban.

Your father is a brave man to name you Malala after the great hero Malalai. You and I both know that. I want you to know that what you did inspires me. Your father instilled in you a love for reading, and educating yourself and others.

I study public health, and have taken a global health class at my college. Guess what Malala? It’s an all-women’s school. If you were here, I bet you would be so happy to hear that.

I watched your movie "He Named Me Malala" and read your book "I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up For Education And Was Shot By The Taliban." I will never cease to understand how you are still so brave, and how you were still able to talk about the experience of being shot over and over again for the United Nations, as well as writing it for the book.

I'm so glad to see you standing for so many and speaking up. I want to thank you for everything you have done for your home country. You have not only become their hero. Because of you, they have helped that third world country come a bit more out of the poverty cycle now that they understand how important education is for the girls as well as the boys.

I want you to know that you are an amazing young lady to have gone through what you have, and still stayed strong through it all. I know if it were me, I wouldn’t have made it through half of what you went through.

Forever on your side,