Women’s History Month

Malala Yousafzai Is the Youngest Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ever

She doesn’t let danger deter her from fighting for a girl’s right to an education

Nelson Mandala once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” For many girls in Afghanistan, Malala’s name stands for their right to an education. She stands for their ability to change the world, but her life almost ended in tragedy.

On October 9, 2012, when Malala was just 15-years-old, a masked gunman stopped her school bus. He got on waving a gun and demanded to be told which girl was Malala. Other girls, in their fear, told him. He shot her in the head and neck, hitting two other girls as well in his attempt to silence her voice.

The gunman escaped and in the following days, the Taliban issued a statement saying they would continue to hunt her down if she survived. But she did not die. In fact, the attempt made her more determined to speak out. Her voice became loud enough for the whole world to hear.

There is a moment when you have to choose whether to stand up or be silent.

Malala Yousafzai

Malala’s activism started early

She was born on July 12, 1997 in Mingora, Pakistan. Her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, believed strongly in education for girls as well as boys. He was a teacher and ran a…