From
Congresswoman Kay Granger
This week I had the honor to meet with 17-year-old Malala Yousafzai who earned the Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy of education for young women. Malalas accomplishments are a source of inspiration for me and many others.
As the daughter of a teacher and principal and a former educator myself I know firsthand the profound impact that an education can have on a young adult. The work that Malala does improves the lives of young women and men - throughout the world.
Malala has managed to accomplish so much good without a title or a position of power. She has earned recognition because of the importance of her message and her willingness to stand up to those who deny young women an education. In doing this work she has placed her life in jeopardy. It was only two years ago that she was targeted confronted and shot in the head by the Taliban in Pakistan when she was on her way home from school. Malala was shot in the head by Taliban terrorists for simply voicing her opinion but the Taliban havent stopped her. Her recuperation was incredible and here she was this week in the U.S. Capitol.
We often mistake those who are physically imposing or in a position of power for the strongest individuals in our society. However Malalas quiet strength and resolve make her one of the strongest individuals whom I have ever met.
Through my past work as Co-Chairwoman of the Iraqi Womens Caucus and Co-Chairwoman of Womens Caucus Task Force on Afghan Women and through my work as Chairwoman of the State Foreign Operations and Related Programs Subcommittee I have led several efforts to make sure that young women have access to an education and opportunities to participate in the political process. I wish Malala the best as she continues her vital work and I am committed to doing whatever possible to ensure that an education is right rather than a privilege.
