What it means to be an Inspirational Leader

Leadership. It is the act of guiding a team or individual to achieve a certain goal through direction and motivation. Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani female education activist and great leader. When Malala was young her father ran a girl's school in her small village. But everything changed when the Taliban took control of the town. They banned many things including education for females. That's when she knew she had to step up and be a leader for all the girls who couldn't learn.

At just age 11 she spoke out to the public on behalf of girls and their right to learn. This made her a target and put her in fatal danger. Malala didn't care though. She knew she was doing what was right for the girls in her community. At age 17 she was given a Nobel Peace Prize and became the youngest to ever receive one. Malala wasn't done and was determined to continue fighting until every girl could go to school.

Malala's biggest inspiration was her father. He was a leader too and stood with her. They ran protests together against the Taliban Pakistan opposition to the education of girls rights, especially Pakistani girls. Everyone has someone they admire and see as a leader, whether it's a historical figure, a mentor, or someone like Malala Yousafzai. It's about finding guidance and motivation from people who share our values and dreams.

Haniya Salman, 8th Grade