On Friday, October 11^th, Marymount celebrated the second annual International Day of the Girl, designated by the U.N to recognize the worldwide movement for women’s rights and equality. This year, the United Nations declared its decision to focus on “Innovation for Girls’ Education,” including increased funding, revised curriculum, and provided technology, transportation, and technology. During the week leading up to the Day, information about the cause circulated throughout campus and Theology classes filled discussions about movement leaders, informing students with relevant facts in each morning’s announcements, and inspiring them with a video detailing “The Girl Effect.”

A revolution for women’s equality, “The Girl Effect” aims to empower young girls to rise above poverty through education, communication, and increased healthcare benefits around the world. While organizations such as “The Girl Effect,” Room to Read, and UNICEF dedicate their efforts fighting for girls education, Malala Yousafzai, a sixteen year old educational activist, has arisen as the face of the movement.

Malala spoke out against the Taliban’s restrictions on girls’ education in her native Pakistan, fighting for her right to go to school through blogs and interviews and criticizing the oppression of women. Her efforts resulted in an assassination attempt by the Taliban; her survival catapulted her to worldwide recognition as an advocate for peace and women’s equality. Students consistently cited Malala’s work as an inspiration for becoming agents of change in their own communities. Sarah Burgess ’15 stated, “I thought Malala was really inspiring because she’s our age. She’s a teenage girl who’s making a difference in the world and if she can stand up for education in a country where women are oppressed, that not only shows the importance of education but also how powerful our voices can be.”

In addition to learning about the women’s rights revolution, the Sailors honored the International Day of the Girl the best way they know how: with cupcakes, courtesy of the newly founded Amnesty International Club The International Day of the Girl 2013 celebrated global progression towards equality and reminded Marymount that even in the modern world, not every girl is fortunate enough to take advantage of her right to an education.