Hope for a better world

PHILADELPHIA — Have you ever wanted to meet your inspiration and someone who is so courageous that she has changed the world forever at a very young age? Maybe, like us, you might also think Malala Yousafzai is a great inspiration and a hero. We will never forget getting to watch her receive the Liberty Medal this month. Her enthusiasm for changing the world is so inspiring to anyone who really listens and allows their self to believe, like we do.

On Oct. 21, we left our small, rural town of Milford to go on a journey to Philadelphia. We brought with us a basket full of gifts for a hero. This basket had a DVE-News/TV shirt, mug, pens, a letter from us, a card, and a vase of cut flowers of red, white, and blue. We got to attend an evening event to celebrate the courage and heroism of Malala Yousafzai and deliver our gift for her.

At 17, this amazing hero was awarded as the World’s youngest Liberty Medal and Nobel Peace Prize recipient ever. We had the honor of going to the National Constitution Center presentation of the Liberty Medal being given to Malala. We were seated in the second row, right in front of her.

Before Malala came out, many other important people spoke. These included MinniJean Brown Trickey, of the Little Rock Nine. She is a hero in her own right. She was really brave when she stood up for African American children’s rights to go to school wherever they wanted to. This was more than 50 years ago, and she was only 14 at the time. In her words, she shared that she started out as an average, innocent, fun-loving kid just like everyone else. She wasn’t trying to be brave. Like Malala, she was just trying to get an education.

Other speakers were Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nuttter, his daughter Olivia Nutter, First Lady of Pennsylvania Susan Corbett, the President of University of Pennsylvania Amy Gutmann, world experienced reporter Martha Raddatz, CEO of the National Constitution Center Jeffrey Rosen, the Pennsylvania Girl Choir, and five girls (including Mo’Ne Davis of Little League fame) who read parts of Malala’s brave and dangerous blog posts as pictures were shown on a huge screen behind them.

It was Olivia Nutter’s first time going to a Liberty Medal Ceremony. She was enthusiastic about being part of this event, and she was also very funny. She kidded with her dad and said school isn’t always about having fun, but it’s a gift that everyone should receive. Olivia is a student in college, but admitted she still doesn’t have her whole life planned and figured out yet.

We saw parts of Malala’s life and hometown in movie clips while the Girl Choir was singing the song "Brave." It was emotional and sad to see what she had to go through, but at the same time inspiring. Malala hopes to return to her hometown and family someday, and is giving her entire prize money of $100,000 for education in Pakistan. She believes that all children should have an education, and that no child should be hurt, killed, abused or denied an education. The level of her voice raised slightly as she stated that everyone should put down their guns and instead use books and pens for their power.

“The power of the pen and education are the most powerful things to really make change,” Malala said.

Instead of spending their money on weapons, Malala said leaders should spend it on educating their people.

When Malala talked about her experience, she also shared her belief about why she did not die.

“I had two choices; either speak and die, or do not speak and die. I choose to speak,” she said. “And the Taliban; I think they made a big mistake. The shot me in the head. The bullet went down through my shoulder and I was in the hospital for a long time. But I did not die. It was not my time. My God is not finished with me yet. The Taliban, they made a mistake. Instead of stopping me, it made me stronger. No child should be hurt anywhere, and all children and girls should have the right to go to school. This is what I will keep working for.”

Being in this audience was a great opportunity for all seven of us. It’s hard to describe in words how amazing it was to see her be rewarded by the Liberty Medal. We are sure that in the future, Malala will continue to make more changes to improve the world for everyone.

The next day we started with an early morning swim and soak in the hot tub. We enjoyed breakfast while strolling in Reading Market, and doing some mini shopping. Then we went back to the Constitution Center to see if we could interview Mr. Rosen, the president of the Constitution Center. He was in meetings, but he told us at the ceremony that if wanted to send a letter to Malala he would get our letter to her.

Next we went on a historic tour of Philadelphia. We saw a movie about the lives of people who lived during the Revolutionary War and how their lives were affected when the British took over Philadelphia. We were lucky enough to get tickets to go through Independence Hall and see where the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and other historical American documents were signed. We also saw the remains of a slave house of centuries ago, the beautiful Liberty Bell, the Old Post Office, and a statue of the founder of Philadelphia William Penn.

It was rainy, but a lot of fun to explore Philadelphia together. Besides all of the historical things, we also went to the famous LOVE statue and other fun monuments in front of the gorgeous Philadelphia City Hall.

Philadelphia is a beautiful place. This was an amazing trip and an honor to see Malala Yousafzai, a world hero, honored.

— By Bella Anderson, Nuria Bary, Grace Lee, Trinity Long, Jules Meeler, Helaina Stefaniak and Stella Weir