my name is razia januar and i'me founder of a girl's school in afghanistan.n 2008, 90% of them could not write their name. today, 100% of them are educated. they can read, they can write. i lived in the u.s. for over 38 years, but i was really affected by 9/11 and i really wanted to prove that muslims are not terrorists. i came back here in 2002. girls had been the most oppressed and i thought, i have to do something. it was a struggle in the beginning. i would sit with these men, and tell them, don't marry them when they're 14 years old. they want to learn. how do you write your father's name? >> a, i, s. >> after three years now, the men, they're proud of the girls, when they themselves can write their name. >> still, we have to take these the precautions. some people are so much against girls getting educated. we provide free education to over 350 girls. i think it's like a fire. it will grow. every year, my hope becomes more. i think i can see the future. >> i can see why she is a hero. cnn heroes are all chosen from people you tell us about. so to nomina