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How Self-Confidence Can Build Character & Leadership Skills

Poverty to Wealth: Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai was born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Pakistan. She is the youngest person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, an honor bestowed on her at the age of seventeen. She is most well-known for her activism in support of female education and equality, which is an especially hot-button issue within her native country, a predominantly Muslim nation that has struggled for decades with militants and extremists (such as the Taliban in Malala’s home province). Malala grew a reputation for promoting education among women when she was still just a young child herself. Through determination, humility, and persistence, she showed her community how strongly she believed that girls should have the right to go to school and pursue an education. Sadly, she was shot in 2012 by Taliban members on her way home from class when she was fifteen years old. This attempted assassination was an attempt to silence her powerful voice for human rights—but instead of silencing Malala, her reach and influence only grew stronger and more widespread. Because she was shot in the head and neck, Malala was left with some scarring and mild disfigurement on her face. Of course, Malala’s belief in herself is demonstrated in many ways, and relates to far more than just her appearance. However, the following quote wonderfully captures what it means to have confidence in oneself and to believe in the power of one’s own voice and vision: “My mother always told me, ‘Hide your face— people are looking at you.’ I would reply, ‘It does not matter; I am also looking at them.’” To this day, her bravery and quiet confidence continue to inspire millions of people around the world.

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