Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai first gained global attention when she began writing an anonymous blog for the BBC on the Taliban occupation and attempts to derail girls’ education. Her story spread as with a New York Times documentary about her life and her conviction about girls’ right to an education. In 2012 she survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban. Her incredible recovery and continued activism for girls’ education resulted in global recognition and support, including the ratification of Pakistan's first Right to Education Bill. In 2014, Yousafzai was named a Nobel Peace Prize winner and became the youngest person to receive this prize. The Malala Fund, the organization she co-founded with her father, empowers girls to achieve their potential through education around the world. Today, Yousafzai continues to be an active proponent of education as a fundamental social and economic right. The 2013, 2014 and 2015 issues of Time magazine featured Yousafzai as one of "The 100 Most Influential People in the World". She was the subject of Oscar-shortlisted 2015 documentary He Named Me Malala.