1314Y DO YOU KNOW OF MALALA?

Today, I've decided to pen thoughts which speak to me, concerning
The power of one, influencing world leadership to
Set their sights on  brainstorming toward creating
Change for the better on a global scope

And with reverence for her courageous stance
I write, today, of Malala
A child , whose courage shall
Lead the way from darkness to light

Malala Yousafzai is a young woman who, as a pre-teen
Began to speak courageously in favor of education in Pakistan, and
Once her stance was made known, publicly and
Her popularity grew, her voice inflamed the attention and fury of theTaliban

Malala was born on July 12, 1997 in Mingora, Paskistan and named after
Malala, a Pashtun heroine, by her beloved father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, whose
Love of learning compelled him
To open a school

As Malala's attitude, concerning education, was influenced by
Her father's leadership, this young girl did not hesitate to
Voice her opposition to
Taliban restrictions against education

At the age of eleven, Malala, sharing her father's passion for learning
Began to write a blog for the BBC Urdu service, using a pseudonym
Though, over the next several years, schools were bombed by the Taliban
Malala's courage did not falter

Malala's blog became so well-spread that in 2011
She was awarded Pakistan's first National Youth Peace Prize
As the Taliban had reason to fear her influence
Malala was identified and targeted for death

On October 9, 2012, a masked gunman boarded Malala's school bus, and
The Taliban's bullet penetrated her brain, neck and shoulder, leaving
Her in critical condition ... thank God, she survived and was moved to
The United Kingdom, where she remained hospitalized until January of 2013—

Rather than fearfully withdrawing her voice
This severely injured child continued to muster the courage to
Heal both physically and emotionally by walking out on the world stage to

Speak her truth, aloud

Last year, this courageous young leader published her first book:
I AM MALALA:
The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
(in collaboration with British journalist, Christina Lamb)

Last year, Malala spoke at the UN, demanding
Worldwide education for boys and girls
And as this child felt compelled to voice her heartfelt attitude
World leaders listened to deeper truth spoken courageously aloud

Last year, Malala was the youngest recipient of The Nobel Peace Prize
And, tomorrow, with the greatest of respect, rising to awe
I plan to quote the essence of Malala's
Positively frocused stance, concerning 'The Power of One' with you ...