What We’re Reading: “I Am Malala”

by Andrew Downing

Leaders are readers because empathy is a leadership necessity. Reading allows you to live a different life and see other perspectives. I Am Malala lets readers experience what it was like to be a young girl fighting for an education and growing up in Mingora, the largest city in the Swat District of Pakistan.

Malala Yousafzai is a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for advocating the education of women and girls. I Am Malala is an account of the events leading up to October 9th, 2012, when a member of the Taliban shot Malala in her head. She was only 15 when she almost died for her beliefs, but her battle for the education of girls had already been going on for more than three years. Instead of silencing her, the Taliban’s efforts propelled her into the spotlight, where she has become an international symbol of courage.

This is a powerful story of courageous conviction. Even though Malala knew she was putting her life in danger, she was compelled to fight for what’s right. Every leader should aspire to have that kind of courage, and reading about it seems more important than ever.

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:I_Am_Malala.jpg