The youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate and education activist is coming to campus to speak with Chancellor Gary May
By RACHEL TRAN — campus@theaggie.org
Malala Yousafzai, the renowned Pakistani education activist, is coming to UC Davis on Nov. 18 to speak with Chancellor Gary May. Tickets for the event, which is part of the ongoing Chancellor’s Colloquium series, sold out on Oct. 3 — the first day they were released to the public.
Yousafzai is the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate, receiving the award in 2014 at 17 years old. She started her activism journey at the age of 11 by blogging about her life under the Taliban. Yousafzai was shot in the left side of the head by the Taliban in 2012 while on a bus in the Swat District. After recovering, she continued her activism and has been continuously involved in sharing her story, writing books, helping produce films and speaking at events all over the world.
“Dear sisters and brothers, I’m not against anyone,” Yousafzai said at the United Nations Youth Assembly in 2013. “Neither am I here to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban or any other terrorist group. I’m here to speak up for the right of education of every child.”
Yousafzai’s 2013 book “I Am Malala” was an international best seller; her latest memoir, titled “Finding My Way,” was published on Oct. 21.
Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts Executive Director Jeremy Ganter told The California Aggie that he is honored to be hosting Yousafzai’s talk on campus.
“Malala Yousafzai has been an inspiration for millions around the world,” Ganter said via email. “Her fearless advocacy for girls, women, education and human rights in Pakistan put her at great personal risk, but she has never backed down.”
The event is currently at capacity, but The Mondavi Center’s box office may be able to release tickets later if seats become available.
“It was one of the fastest selling events for the Mondavi Center and we were excited to see so many students, staff, faculty and community members show an interest in seeing Malala Yousafzai speak with Chancellor Gary S. May,” Mondavi Center Director of Marketing and Communications Reuben Greenwald said via email.
The event is the first this year of the Chancellor’s Colloquium — a speaker series hosted by May. Previous guests of the series include Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player Brittney Griner and Former Mayor of San Francisco London Breed.
“Malala is one of the world’s great champions of human rights and the value of education to uplift humanity,” Ganter said. “We’re excited to welcome [Yousafzai] to UC Davis and hear her story and her thoughts on advancing the causes to which [she] has devoted her life.”
Written by: Rachel Tran — campus@theaggie.org
