Best and Worst of 2014: Malala Yousafzai Wins Women’s Rights Hero of the Year

We asked you which heroes in the fight for women’s health and rights inspired you the most this year — and you told us! Malala Yousafzai is your pick for the Women’s Rights Hero of 2014. 

Why Malala Yousafzai is Our Hero

Malala Yousafzai — the fearless advocate for girls’ right to education and the youngest-ever  winner of the Nobel Peace Prize could have easily been silenced after she was shot and nearly killed by the Taliban for advocating that all girls should have the right to an education. She wasn’t deterred. She has now spread her message on the importance of education around the world, and her story is an example of the power of young people to make change.

"I want to see every child going to school. There are still 57 million children who have not received education,” said the 17-year-old when she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. 

Amazing, inspiring, incredible. She was our Boundary Breaker of 2013, and she is our hero in 2014.

The Nominees

Here’s to Malala Yousafzai and to ALL of the inspiring heroes who fight for women’s health and rights every day!  Here are the nominees for our Hero of 2014 — all advocates and leaders who took bold steps to protect women's health and rights this year.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 
otherwise known as “The Notorious RBG.”

The Next Generation of the Reproductive Rights Movement —
young people across the country who are taking charge in the fight for reproductive freedom.

Dr. Willie Parker,
an indomitable supporter of reproductive rights and the abortion provider at the only remaining safe and legal clinic in Mississippi.

The creators and the star of the movie Obvious Child —
the groundbreaking, honest, and abortion stigma-smashing romantic comedy.

 

Tags: Best of 2014, Malala Yousafzai