The speech was an inspiration, but she has inspirational parents. There was an article about her on the BBC News page saying how it was her parents, but particularly her father, who encouraged her to write the blog that led to her rise to world prominence.
Pakistan is a country with more illiterate children, especially girls, than any other country in Asia and many in Africa. The family lived in the Swat valley that for many months was under the control of the Taliban, het she kept her blog going with her parents support. I do think her parents should also be lauded for their own openness to the importance of education for girls and their courage in supporting her daughter when they must have known the dangers.
A remarkable family.