Courageous Teen Malala Yousafzai Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Courtesy of one.org

While most 17-year-olds are simply staring blankly at the clock in chemistry class, praying for the bell to ring and free them, Malala Yousafzai was informed yesterday (Oct. 10) that she had won the Nobel Peace Prize, one of the highest honors in existence. Not to mention, she is the youngest recipient ever.

She had her priorities neatly in order, though; she put off making her public statement until she was done with school for the day.

A Pakistani native, Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012, targeted because she was so vocal about her belief that girls should be allowed to receive an education. This idea didn’t sit well with the Taliban, who believe women should simply be married off.

A survivor, and quite possibly one of the bravest individuals alive today, Yousafzai survived her critical injuries and her family relocated to England for her safety. She then became a worldwide inspiration, speaking at public engagements where she continued to push for women’s education. She has even become involved in the attempts for peace between her country and the United States.

At just 16 years old, she even spoke before the United Nations.

She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Kailash Satyarthi, known in his home of India for also being an advocate for children’s rights.

Reactions to Yousafzai’s win have been divided, with some in her home region cheering her on and others remaining silent, with the knowledge that they could become potential targets for supporting what many in power may believe to be her radical campaigns.

Some have even been ridiculous enough to claim that the shooting two years ago was all an elaborate hoax, and the West intended from the very beginning to make Yousafzai a puppet.

Yet she won’t let the critics break her beautiful spirit. She is determined to complete high school, and possibly study at Oxford afterwards. From there, graduate school.

“I’m proud that I am the first Pakistani, the first young…person who is getting this award. It’s a great honor for me. This is really an encouragement for me to go forward and to believe in myself, to know that there are people supporting me in this campaign,” she said during a press conference yesterday.

We’re all behind you, Malala. Congratulations on your amazing accomplishments.