Story highlights
- Julia Fine submitted the winning entry in a CNN contest about Malala Yousufzai
- Fine: Malala, in her bravery, is a huge inspiration to her and so many other girls
- She says Malala is a hero who brought attention to education and empowers kids
- Watch Malala on "The Bravest Girl in the World" at 7 p.m. ET Sunday on CNN
As a teenager, it's easy to feel lost, to get swallowed up into the mob mentality and lose your voice. We've all been victim to that; anyone who says they haven't is either lying or under the age of 13 years. And so when a teenage girl undertakes such an incredible task of courage, one adults cower in fear of doing, the event takes on utmost significance. This is exactly what Malala Yousafzai, a huge inspiration to me and so many other girls, did.
Malala stood up for herself, for her education and for her fundamental rights when confronted by a fearsome terrorist group. Malala has created a chain reaction all around the world, bringing change, light and hope to girls across all continents.
Being teenage girls in the United States, so many times, we forget the opportunities we have been given. We roll our eyes and joke about dropping out of school, a right we take for granted in this country. I don't know if I speak for all girls when I say this, but I know for me that after hearing about Malala's fight for education, I cannot take mine so lightly any longer.
I plan to continue my education so that I can fight for those who cannot. Malala has inspired me to study politics, gender studies, social justice and peace so that I am equipped with the tools I need to help others, the tools so many girls are not given.
Julia Fine
But Malala has inspired more than just my own education; she has inspired my entire outlook and goals.
After I first learned of Malala, I couldn't stop thinking about her. Yes, I was more serious about my education and understood its importance now, but I wanted to become an activist and do something. I became co-president of my school's club School Girls Unite, a group that sponsors the education of 66 girls in Mali and lobbies Congress annually to increase foreign aid for education. I also became involved with the International Day of the Girl Child as the Day of the Girl U.S. youth outreach coordinator so I could speak to more girls about issues like education.
Photos: The world's 'other Malalas'
Photos: The world's 'other Malalas'
The world's 'other Malalas' – All Malala Yousafzai wanted was an education for herself and other young girls in Pakistan and despite threats from the Taliban, she continued to go to school. When it was clear that Malala wouldn't back down to increasing intimidation, the Taliban shot her in the head.
It's the story of the young girl that captured the hearts of so many across the world. But she is not alone. We meet five other female campaigners from across the globe. These are all inspirational young women who have overcome poverty and hardship and are passionate about giving something back to their communities.
It's the story of the young girl that captured the hearts of so many across the world. But she is not alone. We meet five other female campaigners from across the globe. These are all inspirational young women who have overcome poverty and hardship and are passionate about giving something back to their communities.
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Photos: The world's 'other Malalas'
The world's 'other Malalas' – Urmila, 22, comes from a family of bonded farmers in Nepal and was sold as a child servant, known as a Kamalari, at the age of 6. After she was freed 11 years later, Urmila started school with the help of non-governmental organizations and began fighting for the rights of Kalamari girls, a campaign that has taken her to meet Nepal's president and prime minister.
Urmila will be presented with a Youth Courage Award for Education by the U.N. special envoy for global education on Friday, July 12.
Urmila will be presented with a Youth Courage Award for Education by the U.N. special envoy for global education on Friday, July 12.
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Photos: The world's 'other Malalas'
The world's 'other Malalas' – Fatmata, an 18-year-old high school student from rural Sierra Leone, became passionate about issues from child marriage to domestic violence and street children after taking part in Plan International's Girls Making Media project.
She now presents a program on a local community radio station and has given talks at her school on corporal punishment and gender-based violence in schools.
Fatmata recently shared her story and ideas at the 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
She now presents a program on a local community radio station and has given talks at her school on corporal punishment and gender-based violence in schools.
Fatmata recently shared her story and ideas at the 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
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Photos: The world's 'other Malalas'
The world's 'other Malalas' – Parvati Pujari, 22, grew up in a Mumbai shantytown and saw her eldest sister get married at the age of 12. With the help of a local non-governmental organization, Parvati attended school and resisted her parents' plans for an early marriage.
With a flair for sports, Parvati started working in junior sports development for Magic Bus, an organization that had supported her since she was a child, while studying for a degree in commerce. She also participates in sports such as rugby at national level and for local football teams.
With a flair for sports, Parvati started working in junior sports development for Magic Bus, an organization that had supported her since she was a child, while studying for a degree in commerce. She also participates in sports such as rugby at national level and for local football teams.
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Photos: The world's 'other Malalas'
The world's 'other Malalas' – Marcela, 17, is determined to break the cycle of discrimination against girls in her community near El Salvador's capital, San Salvador. She has joined a project, Cultura de Paz, aiming to raise awareness of social issues and challenges among her community's youth.
Another project close to Marcela's heart is VOCES, through which she shares information on the rights of children via radio and video.
Another project close to Marcela's heart is VOCES, through which she shares information on the rights of children via radio and video.
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Photos: The world's 'other Malalas'
The world's 'other Malalas' – As a secondary school student in rural Cameroon, Fabiola, 19, became a member of Plan Cameroon's Youth Empowerment through Technology, Arts and Media project, producing youth media to raise awareness around gender issues and help girls' access their rights.
In 2011, she participated in the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women and was inspired to establish Girls on the Front (G-Front), an association that aims to ensure girls have more opportunities to promote and defend their rights locally, nationally and internationally.
In 2011, she participated in the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women and was inspired to establish Girls on the Front (G-Front), an association that aims to ensure girls have more opportunities to promote and defend their rights locally, nationally and internationally.
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I have heard some people say that Malala is a mere poster child for Western ideals of education, but that could not be further from the truth; Malala is the hero who created the domino effect of change, bringing attention and empowering girls and boys alike to act on this issue.
Girls defy the Taliban in Pakistan 03:43
Taliban pen letter to Malala 03:07
It may sound corny, but I assure you that it is true: I believe that Malala has changed the course of my life, and I only hope that through activism around the world, other girls will have their lives changed as well.
Thank you, Malala. Thank you for your bravery, your passion and your heroism. You inspire me and so many other girls so much, and what you do is incredible. You go, girl!
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