Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/252703
AEA Advocate x Spring 2014 5 MEMBER TALK V O I C E Y O U R V I E W S MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK M EMBER TALK MEMBER TALK This past July I read a newspaper article about a Pakastani girl, Malala Yousafzai, who celebrated her 16th birthday by addressing the United Nations. As you may recall, last October Taliban extremists shot her in the head and left her for dead in an attempt to prevent her from advocating for a right to an education for girls. Miraculously, she survived the attack and has become an international symbol of courage and commitment for an important cause. In her speech before the United Nations, Malala said, "One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first." What powerful words! She added that, "The terrorists thought they would change our aims and stop our ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this: Weakness, fear, and hopelessness died. Strength, power, and courage was born." I am in awe of this young girl's fearlessness and determination. I know that I could never be as brave as she, but I believe that we can all learn from her example. I find myself asking, "What could we accomplish if we were even a fraction as dedicated to our causes as Malala is to hers?" As retired public education employees, AEA Retired knows how important quality public education is for the success of all students and for the future of this country. As retirees living on fixed incomes, we know the value of our Defined Benefit pension program, our Social Security System, and quality, affordable healthcare. When these programs are threatened, how willing are public school employees, retired and active, to defend them and do whatever is necessary to insure that they will continue to exist and flourish? I would never ask anyone to face the type of danger that Malala faced, but if we are not willing to defend what is important to us, than who will? Public education in Arizona, and indeed throughout the country, has been under attack for decades. Funding in Arizona has been cut drastically over the past four years leaving school districts underfunded, classrooms overcrowded, and essential programs eliminated. Arizona has dropped to 49th in per-pupil funding in the nation. Our Defined Benefit pensions have been targeted for extinction, even though they have been proven to be vastly superior to 401k, and other types of Defined Contribution retirement programs. This legislative session will undoubtedly bring more proposals to change, or destroy, our retirement system. What have we done in the past to protect and strengthen such valuable assets as public education and our state retirement? Can we do more? What would Malala do? Let's take a lesson from this young heroine and devote ourselves to do whatever is necessary to accomplish our goals. Perhaps we can give birth to our own "strength, power, and courage." 2 Can We Be Like MaLaLa? By AEA Retired President Linda Somo "One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first." — Malala Yousafzai Read more about Arizona retirement security on page 7 Write us! Readers are encouraged to state opinions or make comments in letters that will be considered for publication in this column. The editor reserves the right to edit lengthy letters representing a balance of viewpoints. Generally, letters will not be published without the names of their writers and local associations. Send letters to: "Member Talk," AEA Advocate 345 East Palm Lane Phoenix, AZ 85004. Email: sheenae.shannon@arizonaea.org. Spring.14advo.indd 5 1/28/14 5:11 PM