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Education First: Lessons from a girl shot by the Taliban

Education First: Lessons from a girl shot by the Taliban


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(Photo credit: Jessica Rinaldi/AP/File)

SALT LAKE CITY — 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai is coming to the intermountain west. The young woman who survived being shot by the Taliban plans to visit Denver on June 24, according to the Denver Post.

Getting an education was always a priority for Yousafzai, who has become an inspirational global force, traveling the world to tell her story. A local group wants Utahns to learn more about her, in anticipation of her visit.

Yousafzai spoke before the United Nations in 2013, just one year after the Taliban shot her. A documentary titled "Class Dismissed: Malala's Life," created by New York Times reporters Adam Ellick and Irfan Ashraf, details Yousafzai’s life.

“Dear friends,” she began as she addressed delegates at the United Nations. “On the 9th of October, 2012, the Taliban shot me on the left side of my forehead,” she said. “They shot my friends too. They thought that the bullet would silence us. They failed.”

Yousafzai’s life is inspiring people like educators at the English Skills Learning Center.

“What we take for granted here in America, free access to education,” said Catherine Barnhart, Executive Director, English Skills Learning Center. “Is not that right in other countries.

The ESLC has been providing English learning classes to Utahns for more than 25 years. The center relies on hundreds of volunteers to teach English to immigrant and refugee families.

“If we want an educated community,” said Beth Garstka, Community Outreach Director, “we need to encourage people to attend classes. We need to give resources to agencies that support these issues.”

Yousafzai was on her way home from school in 2012 when she was shot three times. Since recovering from her injuries, a 2013 issue of Time magazine featured Yousafzai as one of "The 100 Most Influential People in the World". In 2014, Yousafzai was the co-recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for her fight to champion education for all children. At age 17, Yousafzai is the youngest Nobel Prize laureate yet.

It is Yousafzai’s story that inspires educators in Utah. Pam Silberman also teaches at the ESCL and says the lack of education is not unique to remote and developing countries.

“Not only globally are these issues important and women are struggling to get an education,” said Pam Silberman, Associate Director, ESLC, “but that locally these individuals are members of community and we want to support them, and help them have productive lives.”

In honor of International Women’s Day, the English Skills Learning Center has partnered with the Salt Lake City Public Glendale Branch Library and the Utah Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Commission to provide a free film screening and discussion on Yousafzai, her impact in the world, and why her story matters in Utah. The event takes place Wednesday, March 25th at 7:00pm at the Glendale Library located at 1375 South Concord (1240 West), Salt Lake City.

Once the screening is finished, a member of the community, who is originally from Pakistan, will discuss her activism and why she may never be able to return home.

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