Mukhtar Mai

Mukhtar Mai

Mukhtar, who actually goes by the name Mukhtaran Bibi, is a shining example of the power of the human spirit.  She is a young, Pakistani peasant woman, who was gang raped several years ago, on order of a local tribal council.  Instead of killing herself, which, sadly enough, is the expected response under such circumstances in many parts of the world, she insisted, at great personal threat to herself, that her attackers be prosecuted.  As a result of her will, her resolve and determination, her attackers were arrested and prosecuted.  As part of the judicial process, Mukhtar was awarded compensation.  In fact, she received enough money to have created a much easier life for herself.  Instead of using the money for her own personal support, she used the compensation to start schools, and started, what has been described in the New York Times as, a nationwide revolution to empower women.  She is often found going from village to village, rounding up young women and escorting them to school.  She often has to deal with the fears of parents and has to make all sorts of deals with them so that they will agree to allow their young daughters to attend school. 

The story of this absolutely amazing and courageous woman will make you cry.  It is the most incredible example of the power of the human spirit that I have ever read.  Her story has been well documented in the New York Times by columnist Nicholas Kristof.

http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F30A1FF639540C718CDDAD0894DE404482  

This amazing woman's story inspired me.  Her ability to create opportunities for thousands of impoverished, uneducated women, which evolved from her tremendous personal tragedy, is an amazing story.  I cannot imagine a more deserving candidate for this award.

The one word that describes this leading lady: Uplifting

Nominated by: Martin Millner