Angelina Jolie Pens Column on Pakistani Girl Shot by Taliban - East Idaho News
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Angelina Jolie Pens Column on Pakistani Girl Shot by Taliban

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GETTY W 101512 MalalaYousufzai?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1350550169152Veronique de Viguerie/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Actress and human rights activist Angelina Jolie was touched by the story of 14-year-old Pakistani education activist Malala Yousufzai, who was shot in the head and neck by the Taliban.  The actress has penned a column for The Daily Beast in which she details discussing the situation for her kids.

“Malala’s story stayed with them throughout the day, and that night they were full of questions,” writes Jolie, who at 37 is a mother of six.  “We learned about Malala together, watching her interviews and reading her diaries. … Our 8-year-old suggested that the world build a statue for Malala, and fittingly create a reading nook near it.  Our 6-year-old asked the practical question of whether Malala had any pets, and if so, who would take care of them?  She also asked about Malala’s parents and if they were crying.”

“Malala is proof that it only takes the voice of one brave person to inspire countless men, women, and children,” Jolie writes in her final paragraph.

Yousufzai was targeted by the Taliban for supporting education for girls.  She was shot a week ago while on her way home from school in Mingora, a village in the Swat Valley.  The unknown assailant reportedly approached her school bus and asked those on board to identify the young girl.  He then shot her and two classmates before fleeing.

Since the shooting, Yousufzai has been kept under medical sedation in a U.K. hospital.  Doctors are optimistic that she’ll recover from her wounds.

Yousufzai’s story inspired Jolie, along with Daily Beat editor Tina Brown, to lend their support to the Women in the World Foundation’s campaign to raise money for girls fighting for education in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Jolie’s own Education Partnership for Children of Conflict is set to donate the first $50,000 to the fundraiser.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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