Today's the International Day of the Girl and voices around the world will pause to consider girls and their education and contribution to the world. And for many of us, Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old activist who "lost" the Nobel Peace Prize this week, and who about one year ago was shot for her belief that she and other girls should have the right to go to school, embodies the very best in young women. If you didn't catch Anna Maria Tremonti's interview with Malala for CBC's The Current, I highly recommend it. What struck me in that interview, besides just how amazing Malala is, was how important Malala's father's backing was in her ability to continue to be educated under a regime that does not believe in the education of women. And as a mom, I think I have a much deeper appreciation for how hard that might be, to encourage your child's unique spark even when it makes her a target for terrorists. I want to raise my sons to be the kind of people who would stand up against those who would put women -- or men -- down. But to send one's child out into a world every day where she might be shot for being educated -- and to do it anyway, because you believe in her that much -- that is courage. I hope we can all find a way in our lives to stand up for the girls around us who need that space to find their unique spark and voice. (We've got ideas to help your teen get strong and boost her self esteem here.) What have you seen lately that's made you feel amazed about girls? (Feature image: iStockphoto.com)