S: 9 Times Malala Inspired Us Beyond Belief

We’re all about celebrating strong women and who’s stronger or braver than Malala Yousafzai? The answer is no one. In honor of her 19th birthday, here are nine times she completely inspired us and proved she’s beyond amazing!

1) She’s one of the bravest teens the world has ever seen.

Not only has Malala spoken out against the Taliban’s regime and their control of women’s education, but she is so passionate about the subject that she put her life at risk for it. At just 15 years old, Malala took a bullet to the head, simply because she stood up for what she believed in. After surviving the attempted assassination, she went on to become the UN ambassador for girls’ education.

2) She shares names with a Pashtun heroine.

It’s clear that Malala’s parents had high hopes for her at birth, as they named her after a Pashtun folk heroine, Malalai of Waiwand.

3) She’s the youngest person to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize.

At the age of 17, Malala became the youngest person to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in seeking out equal education for all. You go, girl!

4) She was named one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.

Not once, not twice, but three years in a row! We’re hoping she makes it this year, too, making it four consecutive years!

5) She’s co-written her own memoir.

Penning her own memoir at 15? Check! We have to start stepping up our game. (You can listen to I Am Malala on Playster here!)

6) She’s hung out with royalty and political leaders.

When meeting with President Obama, Malala told POTUS what he can do to help fight terrorism. She’s also met the Queen of England, who she handed her book to.

7) Setting up her own charity to support girls’ education.

The Malala Fund helps raise awareness about the importance of girls’ education and the positive social and economic impacts it can have on the world. The fund also helps empower girls and demands for social change for girls around the world.

8) She’s got a whole clan of celebrities supporting her efforts.

Everyone from Selena Gomez to Edward Norton has supported the Malala Fund. And who else can say they’ve FaceTimed with JBiebs?

9) She has a day AND an asteroid named after her.

July 12th is not only her birthday, but also Malala Day, as announced by the UN on her 16th birthday. And did you know NASA also named an asteroid after her? Back in June 2012, an astrophysicist who discovered asteroid 316201 named it Malala. Totally beats naming a star for a loved one.

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