Historical Background/Leader's Context: I Am Malala

Historical Background/Leader’s Context: Malala Yousafzai was born on July 12, 1997, in Swat Valley, Pakistan. In her book, I Am Malala, she talks about how her father was thrilled about her birth even though a daughter's birth is not usually celebrated in her culture. Malala’s father even named her after a Pashtun heroine, Malalai of Maiwand, a girl who died in a battle after her words plus bravery inspired her people to fight. In her book Malala gives a brief summary of her parents upbringing which were one of the many reasons Malala is the person she is. Malala’s father was well educated. Malala’s mother on the other hand was not very educated because she did not really apreciate what it meant to have one until she met Malala’s father. After her father graduated college he set his mind to start his own school in Mingora. Even though they had many struggles, like money, her father never gave up and he slowly met his goal. Much of the values that Malala has are because of her father who went through great lengths to give her an education and other tools that could empower her. …show more content…
Malala grew up in Swat Valley and she considers it the most beautiful place because of its mountains and numerous ruins. Swat also used to be a tourist destination, but since the takeover of the Taliban that was gone. In her autobiography Malala really showed that Swat Valley was more than just a pretty place to her, but its culture also defined her whole life. The way that she describes Swat Valley, Malala makes it sound that when the Taliban took her home she lost a part of her identity. This affected her because it was just one more thing that motivated her to fight against all the obstacles the Taliban has