Too many girls are still shut out of school because they have to work, are married early,

or have to care for younger siblings, denying them their fundamental right to education.”

This is a story of a fearless 15-year old named Malala Yousafzai,

who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban.

Malala was born in Swat Valley, Pakistan, “a land where rifles are fired in celebration

for a son, while daughters are hidden away behind a curtain.”

Yet when her father first looked into her eyes, he told people, “I know there is something

different about this child.”

Malala was named after the greatest heroine of Afghanistan, Malalai of Maiwand, who, “went

to the battlefield with other women to “defeat the British army in 1880.”

Many girls in Swat Valley are afraid to go to school, but Malala loved reading and was

considered “the smart girl” at a school her father founded before she was born.

However, with the spread of terrorism, the local Taliban took control of Swat Valley

and had at times banned girls from attending school.

After the Taliban had bombed a local school, Malala saw the need to stand up for herself,

her family, and all other girls within her community.

Malala gave a speech titled, “How dare the Taliban take away my basic right to education?”

Because of her activism for female education, the Taliban “had issued a death threat against

her.”

Malala was more concerned for the safety of her father — an anti-Taliban activist — than

for herself.

However, on October 9, 2012, Malala was shot in the left side of her head by a Taliban

gunman, while riding the bus to school.

Two other girls were also injured in the attack.

Though in critical condition, Malala miraculously survived the attack with no brain damage.

Malala and her family now live in Birmingham, England where she is attending school.

“Unfortunately, the Taliban still consider Malala a target.”

In October 2014, Malala received the Nobel Peace Prize at age 17, being the youngest

person to receive the award.

Malala believes that education is a universal human right.

On her 18th birthday, Malala opened a school for Syrian refugee girls in Lebanon.

While there, she boldly demanded of leaders that, “we must invest in books instead of

bullets.”

Malala believes that “one child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.”

She believes in the power of one.