![Obama Speaks At National Prayer Breakfast President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama attend the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton on Feb. 6, 2014 in Washington.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/barack-michelle-obama.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
A year ago, we were honored to welcome Malala Yousafzai to the Oval Office. From the moment she walked in, it was clear that this young woman–not much older than our own daughters–possessed character far beyond her years. The courage to stand up to Taliban gunmen determined to silence her. The conviction to fight back, not just for her own education but also for the future of young people everywhere. So we were thrilled when Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 10, alongside Kailash Satyarthi, who has inspired us with his work to combat child labor and slavery.
It wasn’t long ago that Malala was just a girl going to school every morning, laughing with her friends as class began. She was like millions of girls in America and around the world who aren’t famous but whose promise is boundless; girls who, if just given the opportunity and the support, could change the world. So as we celebrate 17-year-old Malala, let’s not simply be in awe of her age or her accomplishments. Let’s join her. Let’s all do our part to help unlock the extraordinary talents and potential of all our children.
Barack and Michelle Obama are the President and First Lady of the United States
See Malala's Life In Photos
![Malala Yousafzai Malala Yousafzai](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/malala-nobel-peace-prize-08.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![JORDAN-SYRIA-PAKISTAN-REFUGEES-YOUSAFZAI JORDAN-SYRIA-PAKISTAN-REFUGEES-YOUSAFZAI](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/malala-nobel-peace-prize-04.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning for girls' education, attends an award ceremony to receive her 2013 Sakharov Prize in Strasbourg Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning for girls' education, attends an award ceremony to receive her 2013 Sakharov Prize in Strasbourg](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/malala-nobel-peace-prize-03.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pakistani teenage activist Yousafzai poses for pictures before an event launching her memoir "I Am Malala" in London Pakistani teenage activist Yousafzai poses for pictures before an event launching her memoir "I Am Malala" in London](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/malala-nobel-peace-prize-01.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Queen Elizabeth II Receives Malala At Buckingham Palace Queen Elizabeth II Receives Malala At Buckingham Palace](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/malala-nobel-peace-prize-06.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Government Shutdown Forces Closures In Nation's Capitol In this handout image provided by the White House, the Obama family meets with Malala Yousafzai in the Oval Office on Oct. 11, 2013 in Washington, DC.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/malala-nobel-peace-prize-02.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![NETHERLANDS-PAKISTAN-UNREST-PEACE-PRIZE-MALALA NETHERLANDS-PAKISTAN-UNREST-PEACE-PRIZE-MALALA](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/malala-nobel-peace-prize-07.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![g9510.90.50_malalaB.indd malala nobel peace prize](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/malala-nobel-peace-prize-05.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![UN-PAKISTAN-YOUTH-MALALA YOUSAFZAI UN-PAKISTAN-YOUTH-MALALA YOUSAFZAI](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/malala-nobel-peace-prize.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Family Of Malala Yousafzai Arrive In UK Family Of Malala Yousafzai Arrive In UK](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/malala-nobel-peace-prize-09.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Sharia Law in Pakistan's Swat Valley and North-West Frontier Province Sharia Law in Pakistan's Swat Valley and North-West Frontier Province](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/malala-nobel-peace-prize-10.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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