Youngest recipient of Nobel Peace Prize inspires schoolchildren worldwide

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech states, “The ultimate test of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.”

The individual I believe who brings this vision to life is Malala Yousafzai. Malala is a remarkable girl because she knew of an injustice, spoke out against it, was shot for doing so and now has risen to be an unforgettable spokesperson for children’s rights and education.

Malala grew up in a small village in Pakistan. Her father started a school and Malala would often sit in his classroom and listen. She loved to learn. When the Taliban came and took control of the village they seemed to be for the people. That soon changed. The Taliban started killing all who opposed them and bombing schools. They stated that girls did not need an education.

During this time, a BBC reporter asked Malala’s father if one of his students would be willing to write to him, anonymously, and he would do a blog on what was happening in the village. Malala volunteered to be that writer.

Malala would talk to the BBC reporter every night and tell him about her day. She would tell him there is no peace here. As things got worse, she decided to speak out publicly. She told everyone that she would not be denied an education. Even if she had to sit on the floor to learn, she would not stop. She was not afraid. Malala was the first person to publicly name the leaders of the Taliban in her village.

On Oct. 9, 2012, Malala was shot by a Taliban gunman while riding home on a bus. She was hit in the left side of her head where the bullet shattered her skull, then hit her neck and ended up in her shoulder. She was flown to a military hospital in Peshawar. After a five-hour surgery, she was then moved to a military hospital in Germany. Malala was then sent to Birmingham, England where she did recover.

The attack received world-wide coverage. On Oct. 15, 2012, the UN Special Envoy for Global Education started a petition in her name that states no child be left out of school by the year 2015. After Malala was released from the hospital she continued to speak publicly for the rights of all children to receive an education.

Malala was invited to speak at schools, to world leaders and even at the United Nations. She has received many awards during her fight for education.

She is the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

This story was originally published January 15, 2018 at 6:44 AM with the headline "Youngest recipient of Nobel Peace Prize inspires schoolchildren worldwide."