Woman of Power by Annette

Woman of Power by Annette - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

Many people admire Cesar Chavez for his work in the labor union movement or Martin Luther King, for his fight for civil rights. There is no argument that these men aren’t two of the most influential men in history; however, if I had the privilege of having dinner with one important and influential historical figure, it would Malala Yousafzai.
Malala Yousafzai is an 18 year old woman. During her adolescence, Malala starting to advocate women’s rights in her country of Pakistan, known for treating women as second class citizens. When Malala was fifteen years old, a hitman shot Malala on a bus which was on the way to her school, since Malala refused to stop going to School after the talaban in her country had announced that girls were no longer allowed to attend school. Malala survived and, after long treatments and rest, was able to make a full recovery. It is very amazing and interesting to me that a young girl could have so much bravery and passion for her beliefs in order to stand up to a whole union of men who are doing everything they can to stop her from preaching. Just reading her story online is an amazing experience, but to hear it in person from her would be unreal. Malala and I are both 18 years old, yet her life has been extremely more difficult than mine, and I think as Americans we forget about life outside of this first world country. In 2016, many people argue against the idea of feminism on the basis that we already give women the right to vote and they can work, but that is not what makes a person valued and treated with respect. In every day America we experience sexism and misogyny, which lead to femicides. We think that the world is safe, yet in America women are still victims of domestic violence, rape, and unfair social treatment and in third world countries, like the country which Malala grew up in, women do not even have the simple privilege of getting an education.
Since Malala’s full recovery, she has gone on to winning the nobel prize and opening a school in Pakistan, dedicated to teach young girls. Malala is an excellent image of bravery, confidence, passion, and determination. It would be a privilege to share a meal together with her and ask her more questions regarding the education of women and on feminism itself.