There are 5 really incredible, inspirational, knowledgable and selfless women I sincerely look up too (besides you mom, duh) that I wish more young girls would follow in the steps of. And evidentially, most of them have written fantastic books about their lives and adventures that I believe should be introduced into school systems for young girls to find inspiration from. Here's a quick look at some of my role models of the moment:
1. Malala Yousafzai As most know, young Yousafzai is famous for her love of education and standing up for the right for girls and women to attend school. Yousafzai was shot in the eye on October 9th, 2012 by a member of the Taliban because of her protesting and activism towards the right for education for women. She quickly grew to fame because of the assassination attempt. Gordon Brown of the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education launched a UN campaign in honor of her, urging all children to attend school before the end of 2015. This petition actually influenced Pakistan's first Right to Education Bill. Yousafzai was awarded Pakistan's first National Youth Peace Prize and this year's Nobel Peace Prize. You can read her full bio and story in I Am Malala. |
2. Angelina Jolie Well-known for her successful acting career, incredible acting skills and humanitarian work, Jolie is a role model among so many individuals. Jolie was named a UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) Goodwill Ambassador in 2001 after her work in Cambodia, Sierra Leone and Tanzania working in refugee camps, and of course because of her outstanding donation of $1 million in response to an international UNHCR emergency appeal. Her book Notes From My Travels is an incredible read featuring field notes of her journey during this time. Jolie also received an incredible title this year being appointed Honorary Dame Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George for her services with the United Kingdom's foreign policy, and campaigning to end sexual violence. Queen Elizabeth the second presented her with the insignia of her honorary this past month. Jolie has built over 10 schools in Cambodia as well as refugee camps in Kenya and Afghanistan, all funded through the Jolie-Pitt Foundation. |
3. Amanda Lindhout Lindhout's story is unfortunately another traumatic one involving being kidnapped in Somalia in 2008 along with Nigel Brennan. Lindhout is a Canadian journalist from Alberta who was out to travel the world and capture everything through her lens. What happened to Lindhout during the kidnapping is traumatizing and eye opening, and can be read about in A House in the Sky. The book features her life before the kidnapping and the complete story of what happened to her while she was hidden in Somalia. Amanda went on to launch the Global Enrichment Foundation, in support of education efforts in Somalia. |
4. Benazir Bhutto Bhutto was the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan, and more honorary, the first female to be elected as head of an Islamic State's government and rewarded the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights. Bhutto inherited her father's role in the PPP (Pakistan People's Party) when he was assassinated in 1982. She was nicknamed 'Iron Lady' for her courage and charismatic authority while in office. She brought many positive changes to Pakistan's economy and national security. She was dismissed from her position due to corruption charges which were later dropped in 2007. Bhutto was assassinated in December of 2007 after leaving a rally for the PPP for the 2008 election which she was in the lead for. |
5. Wangari Maathai Maathai was a environmental and political activist. She founded the Green Belt Movement, an organization that focuses on tree planting, environmental sustainability and women's rights. She is the first African woman to have received the Nobel Peace Prize, which was awarded for her dedication to environmental sustainability and peace. Maathai also served as assistant minister for the department of Environment and National Resources under President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya from 2003 to 2005. Sadly, Maathai lost her life to ovarian cancer in 2011. Maarthai is known as the original tree planter. |
I hope I can soon look up to girls and women younger than I am who inspire me to do better with my life, my organization, my community and our world. I know I one day want to be compared to women like these.
I believe it all comes down to education. What you are taught is what shapes you as an individual. Education is such an important tool. We need more people to fight for what our youths are learning today.
Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow's reality. - Malala Yousafzai
Jazz