Image credit: Simon Davis/DFID
It is tradition for new cruise ships to be christened by a godmother. Usually a legendary celebrity, past cruise ship godmothers have included Dame Joan Collins, Helen Mirren and Catherine Deneuve. Celebrity Cruises is bucking that trend.
With the highly anticipated cruise ship, Celebrity Edge, making its debut in late 2018, Celebrity Cruises has publicly named its inspirational godmother: none other than Malala Yousafzai.
Securing safe education for girls across the world
Malala is an inspiration to people all over the world. At just 11 years old, she began writing a secret blog about life under the Taliban, who forbade girls from going to school. She became a target and, in October 2012, was shot in the head by militants as she defiantly rode the bus to school. Astoundingly, Malala survived, and in 2014 became the youngest-ever winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for her continued campaigning.
Malala donated her entire prize earnings: financing a secondary school for girls in Pakistan and launching the Malala Fund. Her selection as godmother of Celebrity Edge comes as part of a two-year partnership between Celebrity Cruises and the Malala Fund, whose mission is to secure 12 years of safe, free, quality education for every girl.
A godmother for the masses
Malala’s mission to further education for girls across the world has been a huge inspiration to the team at Celebrity Cruises.
President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, said:
“Partnering with the Malala Fund was a natural fit as we share the same passion and commitment to an incredible cause. We believe in opportunities for all, especially as our crew on-board represent more than 50 different cultures, and amazing stories of achievement, education and economic advancement.”
Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, added:
“Malala is an inspiration and a voice of hope. This young woman is on a powerful mission, and we support it 100 per cent. We are deeply honoured to name Malala the Godmother of Celebrity Edge, and we’re excited to team up with her and the Malala Fund to champion the global right to education.”
Inspiring the next generation of leaders
We can’t wait to hear even more details about Celebrity Cruises’ partnership in the run up to the launch of Celebrity Edge. We are confident it will make a real difference to the lives of young girls across the globe, thoughts echoed by the Malala Fund’s interim CEO, Philippa Lei.
“We cannot get 130 million out-of-school girls into classrooms on our own,” she said. “We are grateful to generous partners like Celebrity Cruises who support our work to help every girl learn and lead without fear.”