#MalalaDay And #StrongerThan Go Viral Courtesy Malala Yousafzai’s 17th Birthday
Remember Malala Yousafzai? If you recall, this beautiful and outspoken young Muslim lady rose to prominence after the Taliban shot her in the head back in 2012 simply because they disliked the way in which she advocated for every child’s right to an education.
Fast forward to Malala’s 16th birthday on July 12, 2013, when according to the Wall Street Journal, she “spoke at the United Nations about advancing women’s rights and educational opportunities worldwide.” This extraordinary speech so invigorated the world that the day effectively became known as Malala Day, but not in celebration of Malala herself, but rather in celebration of the many souls across the world who desperately desire a chance to pursue an education:
“Today’s not Malala Day. It’s the day of every boy, every woman and every girl who has raised their voice for their rights. I speak not for myself so that those without a voice can be heard. One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution.”
Now fast forward another year to Monday, July 14, 2013, when the world once again celebrated Malala Day (this time two days later because her birthday fell on a Saturday), and when Malala Yousafzai again stood up on behalf of those who simply want to learn.
Malala did so this year by traveling to the Nigerian city of Abuja to bring “worldwide attention to the plight of more than 250 young girls kidnapped by terrorist group Boko Haram,” reports ABC News. This in turn inspired a firestorm of support from millions of men and women from across the world – all of whom took to Twitter behind the now-trending hashtags #MalalaDay and #StrongerThan:
I am #StrongerThan educational inequality. Thankful for @MalalaFund ‘s message on #MalalaDay & everyday. pic.twitter.com/LzeinoiV0Q
— Kelly Pietkiewicz (@Kelly_D_P) July 15, 2014
MT @GirlsNotBrides: On #MalalaDay, we raise our voice against #childmarriage & call for better education for children http://t.co/2jsthYDfH6
— Christina Sandefur (@cmsandefur) July 15, 2014
“One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai #MalalaDay
— Doug Bruhnke (@DougBruhnke) July 14, 2014
The tweets literally go on for hours and hours. Malala herself got in on the Twitter action by reiterating her support for the many children across this planet who simply want a chance to pursue an education:
Malala Day is the day for every boy and girl to raise their voice. Join us http://t.co/2KqtgVaoF4 pic.twitter.com/WOhCPMSGYC
— Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) June 26, 2014
Malala also unveiled the following incredible video in which she asks a simple, but fundamental question: “What are you stronger than?”
Image via [Malala Fund]
