(CNN) -- Malala Yousufzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl activist who was shot in the head by the Taliban, has expressed gratitude to the people around the world who have supported her as she recovers from the traumatic attack.
"Thank you so much for the outpouring of love and support," Malala said in a message read by Anderson Cooper at the CNN Heroes ceremony in Los Angeles. "I thank the people that supported me without distinguishing religion and color."
Malala has been campaigning for girls' right to education in a conservative area of Pakistan for years.
In her message, she praised girls in northwestern Pakistan "who are continuing their studies despite threats from militants."
Malala Yousafzai returns to school for the first time at Edgbaston High School for Girls in Birmingham, England, on March 19. The 15-year-old said she had "achieved her dream."
Photos: Malala's recovery
Gordon Brown supports Malala's message
She is now at a hospital in Britain, where she was transferred to soon after the assassination attempt in northwestern Pakistan in October. Examinations there revealed that she had suffered no major neurological damage, but she still faces a long struggle to recover from her injuries.
Malala is reading books and walking in the hospital in the city of Birmingham, according to her father, Ziauddin Yousufzai.
Her story generated a huge amount sympathy and support in Pakistan and across the globe.
The Pakistani Taliban have threatened to go after her again, but Malala appears to be undeterred from her campaigning.
"People have actually supported a cause, not an individual," she said in her message. "Let's work together to educate girls around the world."
CNN's Kyle Almond and journalist Nasir Habib contributed to this report.
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Malala was one of seven people featured on the cover of Time's 100 most influential people edition of the magazine in April.
The teen was discharged from Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England, in February.
Malala Yousufzai, 15, reads a book on November 7 at the hospital.
Malala talks with her father, Ziauddin. She was attacked for advocating for girls' education in Pakistan.
Malala sits up in bed on October 25 after surgery for a gunshot wound to the head.
Malala recovers at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on October 19 after being treated.
Pakistani hospital workers carry Malala on a stretcher on October 9 after she was shot in the head by the Taliban in Mingora.
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