12. Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai, born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Pakistan, became a global symbol for girls’ education and women’s rights. At age 11, she began writing a blog under a pseudonym for BBC Urdu, detailing life under the Taliban’s oppressive rule and advocating for girls’ education. In 2012, she survived an assassination attempt by a Taliban gunman, which garnered international attention. Despite the attack, Malala continued her activism, co-founding the Malala Fund to promote education for girls worldwide. In 2014, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the youngest-ever laureate at that time. Her unwavering commitment to education and equality continues to inspire millions globally. (nobelprize.org)
