The future is bright

Is it just ME, or can you recall your reaction to hearing that a child had been targeted for assassination because she verbalized her belief in the right for girls to be educated?

I recall clearly my outrage at the early morning news stating that a “little girl” was the target of an organized shooting.   A single child, attacked by a radical group of Taliban soldiers.  Outrageous!

What:  an organized assassination attempt

Where:  Pakistan, on a school bus.

When:  October, 2013

Why:  she desires to be educated

WHO:  a 14 year-old child;  her name: Malala Yousafzai

Remember that name.

It is hard for me, as a western woman, to fathom that in 2013,  voluntarily pursuing an education  not  only be an opportunity, but a right.  For me, education was an automatic process: you went from one level to the next, and on to the next and the next based on financial capability, a bit of aptitude (though there was always a school you could attend, regardless), and the value you and your family placed on education.

Was it something you had to be willing to lay down your life for?  Please, that is a ridiculous notion to even ponder.

Yet, in 2013, children, particularly girls, are placed in the line of fire simply because they desire to be educated.

Malala was a single victim that day, yet she represents generations of nations who never dared, as she did, to speak up.  Because she did, we can only hope that no other child will ever be in her position, truly an “army of one” against any organized faction, particularly the Taliban.

In the seven months since Malala survived being shot in the head and neck, she had been recovering at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in London, England., where her family set-up temporary residency to be near her at this most challenging time.

Now, Malala moves on; forever changed as the 15 year old “face behind a global movement” for the right of all to seek education.

We think of faces behind movements including the likes of Ghandi, Nelson Mandella, Genevieve Clark; we do not oft think of 14 year olds.  I suppose we can consider Malala the modern-day Joan of Arc.

Since her harrowing ordeal, and because of it, Malala has just been named by TIME as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.  She is the youngest nominee for the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize and what she will go on to do from here can only be imagined.  Whatever it may be, I dare to say it will be worth waiting to hear of it, to be part of it, and to be inspired because of it.

What this child’s ordeal affirms for me it that what we believe it – whatever it may be – in worth fighting for.  It re-affirms my belief in the value of education.  It gives me comfort to know that the world has this child-woman in it – and there are many others – whose influence on future generations of people around the world will affect us all.   I pray that!

So, IS it just me, or do you, too,  want to continue to grow as a woman of leadership, an architect of change, that Malala will be as proud of as we are of her.  I pray that, too!

This is not good-bye!