Malala Yousafzai Discusses Growth and Resilience at Burlington Library

Malala Yousafzai, the renowned education activist and Nobel laureate, recently participated in an author talk at the Burlington Public Library on October 22, 2023. The event, which focused on her new memoir, Finding My Way, was facilitated by the Library Speakers Consortium, a collaborative network of over 500 library systems across the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand. Brandon Adler, the host of the discussion, emphasized the initiative’s goal of making author talks accessible to diverse communities.

During the conversation, Yousafzai reflected on how her latest memoir differs from her previous work, I Am Malala. She described Finding My Way as her most personal narrative to date, stating, “I have grown into this young woman. I have learned so much about myself in these years, making friends, finding love, and I have opened up about so many things that I never thought would be part of my story.”

The memoir delves into intimate aspects of Yousafzai’s life, including her struggles with mental health, academic challenges, and the experience of being “ghosted” by her first crush. “This is me reintroducing myself for who I am,” she explained. “The most important thing for me in all of these years has been to be true to myself.”

Yousafzai addressed the public perception that often hinges on her past trauma. “I would still be introduced by people as ‘the Malala who was attacked by the Taliban,’ and it was still the story of the 15-year-old girl,” she noted. “But I knew that there had been so much more to my life, and that is definitely part of the reason why I just could not wait to share more about my life experiences.”

Friendship and Personal Growth

One of the pivotal relationships Yousafzai discussed was with a friend named Cora, whom she met shortly after moving to the UK following the attack on her life in Pakistan. “When we met, I instantly knew that we were going to be friends because she didn’t ask me about my activism or my role in the public eye,” Yousafzai shared. “She asked me about what I was studying and what I wanted to do for the evening.”

This connection allowed Yousafzai to embrace a sense of normalcy. “I felt like I could be myself here [amongst her friends in the UK],” she continued. “I don’t have to live up to any expectations. I can be silly. I can make mistakes, I can learn.”

Yousafzai humorously recounted how her friends would ask her for relationship advice, jokingly referring to her as their “relationship counsellor.” “They would sometimes make a joke that I was like a mediator, resolving their conflicts,” she recalled. “And I thought, we can think about world problems and we can hope to solve them one day, but let’s focus on the college problems first.”

Balancing Academics and Activism

As Yousafzai navigated her first year of college, she encountered challenges in balancing her studies with her engagements as a public figure. She nearly failed her exams due to these competing demands. “That’s when I was called by my tutor and warned that I really needed to prioritize my studies,” she explained. Initially hesitant to seek academic support, she later recognized its importance. “As soon as I met the academic support person and had those first few sessions, I realized how much I needed them,” Yousafzai said.

Beyond academics, Yousafzai also addressed her struggles with mental health, sharing her experiences with panic attacks and anxiety. “I encourage everybody to seek help,” she urged. “I wish I had asked for help a lot sooner, but it’s never too late. Always ask for help — academic support and mental health support from your friends and family.”

Yousafzai emphasized the significance of being there for others as well. “I’m so grateful for everybody who was there for me, for the friends who were just around me, for my family, for everybody.”

Closing the event, Yousafzai encouraged attendees to visit their local libraries and immerse themselves in reading. “Read whatever you love, fiction, nonfiction, whatever genre you like,” she said with enthusiasm. “Reading is always fun.” She added with a smile, “Or you could read my book, Finding My Way.”

As the discussion concluded, Yousafzai’s reflections on resilience, bravery, and personal growth resonated deeply, especially as Remembrance Day approaches. The event remains available for viewing online, providing an opportunity for a wider audience to engage with Yousafzai’s insights and experiences.