Winnipeg teens inspired by Malala, teenage winner of Nobel Peace Prize

High school students in Winnipeg say they are inspired by Malala Yousafzai, the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

• Malala Yousafzai, Nobel winner, coming to Canada Oct. 22

Vincent Massey Collegiate student Julia Drybrough, 16, said it shows that making positive change is possible no matter what age you are. 

"It just goes to show how much power we have and how much we can accomplish," she said. "Being not old enough to vote or old enough to buy alcohol but we can still make so much change. I think it's really inspiring for kids like us who want to get involved in social justice."

Drybrough is part of a group of students who meet every week to discuss human rights issues. 

Friday's topic was naturally Yousafzai.

Drybrough has been following the Pakistani girl's trajectory since Yousafzai started her fight for girls' education at age 11.

• Malala Yousafzai 'proud' to be Nobel Peace Prize co-winner

Drybough was horrified when she heard the Taliban shot Yousafzai on a school bus. 

"It really shocked me," she said. "It started raising my awareness of the issue in those parts of the world. That event and her now winning is really bringing attention to the issue."

Another student concerned with human rights at the school is Michael Lay.

"For me, saying that a woman got it is really progress, a step forward in our society. Because most of the Nobel Peace Prize winners are males," he said. 

"And it's just nice to see she's a woman and also 17, and the stereotype of, 'If you're young and have nothing to say, you can't change anything' is not true at all."

Human rights museum to feature teen Nobel Peace Prize winner

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights said Yousafzai is a natural fit for the museum and will be featured in three exhibits. 

"She's an example of what we're aspiring to do. To stand up, to break silence, to take action, to focus on education as the most powerful thing we can all hope to put forward to promote human rights," said museum spokesperson Maureen Fitzhenry.

​Fitzhenry said the teen's example should inspire people but anyone can make a difference. 

"We all can't be 'Malalas,' people who devote their lives to human rights and stand up to danger," she said. "We certainly admire her resolve in that regard but we can all do things in small ways as well."

She said that's why the museum highlights people who have made contributions to human rights, both intentionally and accidentally. 

"We have stories about people like Malala and also about people who in their daily lives have done something that may not have seemed like a huge deal but have had amazing ripple effects."

For her part, Julia Drybrough said she's grateful to people like Yousafzai for the human rights she already enjoys. 

"I'm able to get involved in as many social justice causes as I want, and really have the opportunity to make a change."