Malala Yousafzai

"I speak not for myself but so those without voice can be heard."(Agencies). Who would have guessed that one teenage girl could be a voice heard worldwide, sharing one direct message and idea. This was for all men and women to become equal, to live life sharing the same status in the world. Yousafzai is a Pakistani school girl who just wanted an education. She loved to read and learn and wanted to be able to continue being the best student possible. Yousafzai's parents are such a big influence in her life and are one of the reasons why she never gave up on her journey. Her dad is a school teacher who strived to give children an education, similar to Malala's dream. On October 9, 2012, a gunman entered the school bus Yousafzai was on, and shot three bullets at her. One hit the left side of Malala's forehead, traveled under her skin and then into her shoulder. That was the moment when her life had changed forever. After that she knew what difference she had to make in the world. Yousafzai almost experienced death just by sharing how she felt and wanting to have a bright and successful future. But a hero must not only be brave but they also can't be afraid to take risks and be spontaneous with the world and what they wish to accomplish.  Malala Yousafzai is not an average teenager, but instead she is a determined speaker, who puts her bravery before fear, and inspires others to make a difference.

Malala Yousafzai was not only determined to create change but she never withdrew from a challenge.  As shown when Malala says, "I don't want to be thought of as the girl who was shot by the Taliban" but the "girl who fought for education.". To which I want to devote my life," (Yousafzai). Yousafzai was determined to change the world and to have an influence on people and surely she had accomplished her dream. Malala Yousafzai had also survived the initial shooting, but was in critical condition and at any moment could have lost her life; her father had actually considered preparing for her funeral. But Malala Yousafzai surprisingly woke from her coma. "Only three months after the shooting which shocked the world, Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai left a Birmingham hospital to continue her recuperation."(Dolan). As shown here Malala had so much determination to get better and to recover after the horrible accident. She found this determination since she just wanted to share her story with others and since it was an unexpected miracle that she was able to recover and be with her family again.

A hero cannot be a hero without being brave and not being afraid of what the future will hold and Malala definitely shows her bravery throughout her journey. This is especially noted here, "She will continue her recovery with her parents and brothers at the family's temporary home in the West Midlands, but will return to the hospital for reconstructive surgery on her skull. Dr Dave Rosser, medical director at the hospital, called her 'a strong young woman'."(Dolan). Malala strived to keep her recovery going, and surviving surgery, took lots of bravery and courage. Especially since nobody knew how it was going to end up. Bravery is especially shown when Malala says, "I told myself, Malala, you have already faced death. This is your second life. Don't be afraid - if you are afraid, you can't move forward," (Yousafzai). Malala's bravery is exceeding in this quote since she overcame death and now faces so many more challenges that could never match up to what she has already gone through. In conclusion, Malala would not be where she was today if fear stood in her way.

Inspiration comes from the heart and takes place when one wants to help or do something good for others.  Yousafzai is not only an inspiration to herself but she encourages others to keep fighting and to continue trying their hardest no matter what obstacles stand in their way.  (Yousafzai). This is one of the most inspiring quotes from Malala's book, because it shows the type of person she is and what type of message she wants to spread around the world. Malala Yousafzai was in a coma and there was no evidence and barley any hope that she would wake up again, but a miracle arose in Yousafzai's world and she awoke from her coma. As said here, "SHE was left at death's door after being shot in the head on a school bus for defying the Taliban."(Dolan). This quote states how Malala Yousafzai was left on deaths doors meaning at any time her life could have ended. But she was so blessed to have survived and because of that she inspires millions. Her inspiration was spread throughout the world and she drove herself and others to do amazing things, to be creative, and stand up for what you believe in.

In conclusion Malala Yousafzai is an inspiration everywhere and is determined to create an amazing change in the world. A teenager often feels lost in the crowd, or has a loss of words, but Malala stood up for herself, for her rights and her education even when confronted by a terrorist group. Malala created hope and a chain reaction all around the world bringing light and change to girls everywhere. Malala has inspired me to always believe in myself and to believe that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to, as can anyone else.

Work Cited

 Yousafzai, Malala, and Christina Lamb. I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

"Malala tells UN she will not be silenced by Taliban attack; Pakistan teenager Malala Yousafzai told the United Nations that she would not be silenced by terrorist threats, in her first public speech since being shot by the Taliban." Telegraph Online 12 July 2013. Biography in Context. Web.

"Teen shot for defying Taliban leaves hospital with a wave." Daily Mail [London, England] 5 Jan. 2013: 28. Biography in Context. Web. 8 May 2014.