The University at Buffalo announced human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai will be the first speaker of the annual Distinguished Speakers Series that begins September 19th.
At 14 years of age Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban in 2012 as she was heading home on a bus from school in Pakistan. The Taliban targeted her for being outspoken for rights to educate girls, a cause she championed since the age of 10.
“We are delighted that Malala Yousafzai will be headlining the 31st season of our Distinguished Speakers Series,” said UB President Satish K. Tripathi. “Renowned across the globe for her courage and convictions, Malala offers our university and our community the opportunity to engage with one of the foremost advocates for the education of girls and young women. Her visit to UB will mark the seventh appearance by a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in the Distinguished Speakers Series and will continue our proud tradition of bringing compelling public figures to campus to spark provocative discussions about the defining issues of our time.”
Yousafzai was a co-recipient, with Kailash Satyarthi, the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle against the suppression of children and young people and children’s educational rights. At the time, she was 17-years of age and youngest-ever to receive the Nobel Prize laureate.
Yousafzai now lives with her family in Birmingham, England. She is known for her courage work in not remaining silent in fighting for the right of every children to attend school. Yousafzai was named to TIME Magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2013, 2014 and 2015. In 2013 she authored the book “I Am Malala”.
This season’s UB Speaker Series will mark the 31st year. Tickets for Yousafzai’s appearance have not gone on sale yet as the University continues to work on finalizing the entire series scheduled, which is expected to be ready later this month.
