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LIVING


WHO IN THE WORLD IS...


by Brooke Romney


MALALA YOUSAFZAI


Finish this sentence: “School is so...” Did you say, “boring,” “a waste of time,” “fun,”


“cool,” “long,” or “stressful?” Did you think, “School is worth dying for?” As an American teen, those words most likely did not cross your mind, but for Malala Yousafzai, an 18-year-old Pakistani activist, the chance to have an education was worth risk- ing her life. Malala was born into a progressive home but


in a restrictive country. Her father believed in education for both his sons and daughters, but as years passed, the Taliban discouraged girls from attending school. Malala went anyway, and she did not go quietly.


Instead of sneaking back and forth to school and


keeping her head down, she became an outspoken advocate for the education of girls. She wrote blog posts for the BBC and was a willing subject for a New York Times documentary, all while the Taliban watched. At only 12 years old her voice was often the most prominent proponent for the education of girls and women in the Middle East. Her voice put a target on her back. Death threats to her and her family were published in the news- paper and slipped under the door of their home, but fear did not make the Yousafzai family retreat. After some time, the Taliban would not stand for the insubordination any longer, and in 2012, a gunman boarded Malala’s school bus, asked for her by name, and shot her three times in the face. She was only 15.


Although the shots should have killed her or at


the very least silenced her, they did neither. After the intervention of incredible doctors and nurses, Malala made a full recovery, and the entire world took interest in her cause. Less than one year later, on her 16th birthday, Malala spoke to the United Nations calling for worldwide access to education. Recognition and awards were heaped upon her, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. She is the youngest recipient in history. Malala teaches us to be grateful for opportunity,


freedom, peace and safety. She reminds us that education is a gift and blessing and that we should take it seriously. Malala is extraordinary, but we all have a little Malala inside each of us. We have causes and beliefs that burn in our hearts. Are we willing to stand for them? We can, like Malala lend our voices and our actions to fight for what is good and right. She is an incredible example of how the voice of one young woman can change the world. How are you using your voice?


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