Malala Yousafzai

Many people depend on heroes to save them from the cruelty of the world, but in everybody's life there comes a time for them to step up and be their own hero. A hero could be anyone who exceeds expectations, no matter what challenges are brought amongst them. In the eyes of society, anyone who stands up against evil or is brave enough to fight is labeled a hero. The way we picture a hero is anyone with physical strength who wears a cape but in reality it could be anyone whose intellect and words could make a change. A true hero isn't measured by strength, but the strength of their heart. One girl's voice in the small village of Mingora, Pakistan made a difference.

After the Taliban read Malala's blog, many death threats were sent to her and her family. Despite the threats, Malala and her father raised awareness and she secretly went to school. Malala knew that the Taliban were frightened that by educating women they would speak out against them, and that's why the Taliban wanted her dead. On October 9, 2012, Malala and her friends were on the bus coming home from school. The vehicle was stopped and a masked gunman entered. He asked for Malala and when many of her friends looked at her without a word he shot her. The single bullet went through her head, neck, and shoulder causing a serious injury. After her recovery, her family moved to Birmingham for additional treatment. The news of her accident was shocking around the world, and over 2 million people signed a petition for her fund that she and her father created shortly after the accident.

Since then, Malala's words have been heard across the world. She's spoken in the U.S. Congress, the UN, White House, etc. In 2014 she won the Nobel Peace Prize Award, making her the youngest person ever, at the age of 17, to receive that award. Today, she still fights for women's education and child rights, appearing on television, major conferences, etc. Malala fought to make a difference, and it didn't matter that she was a teenage girl from a small village. Today, many people look at her as an inspiration for change. She has written an autobiography "I am Malala" and has received much success for standing up for women everywhere. Many people look at her as a hero because she stood up to the Taliban, she fought through the pain, and is still fighting for basic human rights. Malala is an inspiration to not just girls but to humanity, an example of who we as a people should try to be.

We chose Malala because of her courageous, selfless acts. As a teengaer she has accomplished so much more and changed so much than more people do in their lifetime. Malala teaches us that when situations are rough it becomes necessary for us to speak out and not to give up. "I said to myself, Malala, you must be brave. You must not be afraid of anyone. You are only trying to get an education. You are not committing a crime" -Malala.

As a young girl, Malala enjoyed education. Since then she has become more than a freedom fighter but an inspiration. She has proven to the world that education is a necessity and not a privilege and that no one can take it away. Today, as Malala advocates for basic human rights she still hasn't forgotten about her village in Pakistan, who she still supports today. She has been spreading her words on social media and has been influencing the youth to make a change. As students, Malala teaches us that education is a privilege and that we shouldn't take it for granted. ¨Let us pick up our books and our pencils. They are our most powerful weapons¨- Malala.