Courageous Women

When God gave out courage, I must have been lost in space. But I admire women with courage. One of the most courageous is Aung San Suu Kyi, a political leader in Burma who spent many years under house arrest and in prison for her efforts defeat a repressive regime. Although the government offered her freedom if she would leave the country, she refused to do so. Undaunted by her unjust treatment, she ran for a seat in Parliament in 2012 and won. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991.
Another woman with courage is Wangari Maathai, who founded the Green Belt Movement in Kenya to reduce poverty and conserve the environment by planting trees. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her work to promote democracy, human rights, and conservation.
One of the youngest women with an indomitable spirit is Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the face by the Taliban for demanding education for women in Pakistan. Only 17 years old, she won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her courage in standing up for the education of girls.
Another courageous woman is Lehmah Gbowee, a Liberian peace activist, who led a women's peace movement that helped end the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003. She and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf helped bring about a period of peace and a free election that Sirleaf won. She and Sirleaf were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and women's rights.
All these women overcame incredible odds to make their countries more just and safe for women. There are many others changing the world. May they inspire others to dream the impossible and make it come true.

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