The story of this young girl inspires me so much that she deserves her own Herstory blog.
Malala was born in Pakistan in 1997. In the Swat Valley, where Malala lived, the Taliban banned girls from going to school and Malala became an education and women's rights activist. When she was 11 years old, she anonymously wrote a blog for the BBC detailing what her life was like under Taliban rule. The next year, a documentary was filmed about her life and she rose in popularity, giving interviews and becoming the youngest person to ever be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.
On October 9, 2012, Taliban gunmen boarded the bus that Malala was riding home from school and demanded to know which girl was her, threatening to shoot everyone if she didn't identify herself. When she did, they shot her in the head. The bullet went through her head and neck and lodged in her shoulder. She was taken to a military hospital and remained unconscious and in critical condition until she was well enough to be flown to a hospital in the United Kingdom. Miraculously, Malala survived and has completely recovered with little to no brain damage.
Following the assassination attempt, a United Nations petition was launched in her name, demanding that all children worldwide have access to education as a basic human right. She also was named one of Time Magazines 100 Most Influential People in the World. After repeated threats from the Taliban to continue to seek her life, Malala and her family have had to stay in the United Kingdom; it is too dangerous for them to ever return to Pakistan. She spoke to the United Nations earlier today for the first time since the Taliban tried to kill her. Her message continues to be compulsory education for all children across the globe, regardless of gender.
"Let us pick up our books and pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution." —Malala Yousafzai
Today is Malala's 16th birthday. Happy birthday, Malala. Your bravery inspires us.