Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Prize-winning girls’ rights activist, has received a special tribute from her alma mater, Lady Margaret Hall at the University of Oxford. The college officially unveiled her portrait at a ceremony attended by students, faculty, and guests.
The honor was previously given only once to a Pakistani, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. With this, Malala becomes the second Pakistani whose portrait is displayed at one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
The painting was created by London-based artist Isabella Watling. It was unveiled nearly six years after Malala graduated from Oxford in 2020. It also comes 12 years after she became the youngest and only Pakistani to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Speaking at the college’s annual Founders and Benefactors Dinner, Malala expressed hope that her recognition would inspire others.
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“I accept this honor with the hope that it helps open doors for many others. More than anything, I hope it serves as a reminder that a girl from Swat Valley belongs here and that the next girl from a village in Pakistan, Afghanistan, or anywhere else belongs here too,” she said.
The artist, Isabella Watling, described the project as both meaningful and challenging.
“It was a huge honor to paint Malala’s portrait. In the picture, I wanted to try to capture some of her strength and grace. I found it was unusually challenging to finish, because of the pressure of painting such a well-known face,” she said.
Lady Margaret Hall commissioned the portrait in collaboration with the Oxford Pakistan Program. Malala serves on the program's advisory board, which supports Pakistani students through scholarships at Oxford. The artwork was funded by an unnamed donor.
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Apart from her academic achievements, Malala continues her global advocacy through the Malala Fund, a charitable organization that works to ensure girls around the world complete 12 years of education.
In recognition of her contributions, she was also made an honorary fellow of Lady Margaret Hall in 2024.
Her journey from the Swat Valley to the walls of Oxford reflects a powerful story of courage, education, and determination.
