In her first-ever Twitter chat, Pakistani teen activist Malala Yousafzai on Monday championed the campaign for girls’ education on behalf of her newly launched organization, The Malala Fund.
Just one year after taking a bullet to the head at the hands of the Taliban, the 16-year-old shared some of the determination and hope that make her an inspiration to so many. Yousafzai said she was drawn to politics so that she could “make a change,” and said she would one day love to be a teacher like her father. She said she was inspired by “great personalities like Martin Luther,” and by “powerful girls going to school.”
Headquartered in New York, The Malala Fund works to promote girls’ education in developing countries, with a particular focus on Pakistan and Syria. The aim is to build schools, train teachers, and create a global support network for girls from different countries, Yousafzai said. She added that there would also be classes for boys because she believes in equality and “education for all.”
One seventh grader asked the activist what keeps her going when she feels like giving up. Yousafzai replied: “Your support. Your love. Your encouragement.”
Here’s more of what Yousafzai had to say:
.@RossanaDAntonio: We cannot succeed if half of us are held back. Women must speak, must raise their voices. – Malala #MalalaFund
— Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) September 23, 2013
A: Our social media will help us raise awareness and connect girls around the world – Malala #MalalaFund
— Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) September 23, 2013
A: The simple thing is raise up your voice, take action and help charities for education – Malala #MalalaFund
— Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) September 23, 2013
A: We can empower ourselves with education – Malala #MalalaFund
— Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) September 23, 2013
A: So many women die because there is no education for sexual and reproductive health so that’s why we need it – Malala #MalalaFund
— Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) September 23, 2013
A: I do not want the children of Syria to be deprived of education. We have to speak up for them. – Malala #MalalaFund
— Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) September 23, 2013
A: Young women and girls can get involved with the #MalalaFund through our grants – Malala http://t.co/mguvt09gQ7
— Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) September 23, 2013
Emma Margolin
Emma Margolin is a reporter at MSNBC.com.