Essay: Writing in the Disciplines (female empowerment)

September 28, 2016​
Personal Narrative
Politics is inextricably woven into life, from structural institutions, to art and music, to the places we call home. I learned quickly to explore history and politics, having grown up in a family of strong-minded individuals with diverse philosophies. My father’s expansive knowledge of history molded my interest in the past, often coerced by public policies and political agendas. Following politics proved to be a challenge, ever changing day by day, enthralling my thoughts from debates on policy and laws to cultural implications – it was a subject that could not be ignored.
As a result of my long-time interest in politics, I pursued an undergraduate degree in Political Science, with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies. People often ask me, “What can you do with that?” and my response will always be the same – “change the world.” I have spent a majority of my undergraduate career examining a variety of political ideologies and subject areas. Through my analyses, I recognized the pronounced disparities between social, economic, and political systems globally, particularly within developing nations and marginalized populations. Thus, my interest piqued in human rights violations with attention particularly drawn to the rights of women.
From 2012 through 2014, I served on the Executive Board of Pace University’s Model United Nations, where I guided over 20 undergraduate peers in the advanced debate of United Nations simulation-based activities. Through conducting extensive research, I have gained a solid foundation in various interdisciplinary fields, including: human rights and the rule of law, gender equality and female empowerment, and access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. The dignified yet competitive nature of conference and debates strengthened my negotiation practices and tactics. As Head Delegate, I successfully led the team to covet both national and international distinction, as well as multiple country-reflected position paper awards. The United Nations Association, Westchester Chapter later presented me with the Leadership Award for my contributions.
Alongside my peers and professor, I led the Rio+ 20 Earth Challenge on the Pleasantville campus in 2013. Serving as a liaison between administration, students, and high-level panel guests afforded me a platform to address critical issues concerning climate change, energy and food security, and the importance of gender equality to advance sustainable development. In April 2013, the United Nations Association, Westchester Chapter, again recognized me, awarding the Rio+ 20 Sustainability Award.
With each conference attended and event planned, I slowly came to realize that this type of work far surpassed an academic requirement or interest; it coincided with a long-held desire of mine to pursue a career I love which allows me to be of service to others. Due to a personal constraint, I took time off from my academic pursuits. During the interim, I worked as a paralegal for a leading international law firm, a challenging but invigorating experience. My time spent there enabled me to competently work in a pressured and ever changing environment daily. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work on a pro-bono case representing a Lebanese woman seeking asylum. Her story exposed a multitude of human rights abuses, from religious prosecution to gender-based violence. The opportunity to provide her with quality legal representation and guidance to ultimately be granted asylum has become one of my proudest accomplishments to date.
Determined to complete my undergraduate schooling, I returned to Pace and will receive my Bachelors of Arts in Political Science in December 2016. In addition to expanding my knowledge through academia, whether through law or graduate school, I wish to live and study abroad to culturally immerse myself into the conditions women face outside of the United States. Tackling the inequitable distribution of power and resources requires deep understanding of the social structures and normative practices of communities. I believe this will be a transformative experience full of insight that will enable me to build upon the work of organizations focused on human rights and female empowerment.
It is my passion to continue to learn new political and international approaches to broaden my knowledge and expertise relating to human rights and gender-based discrimination. My ultimate dream is to work for the United Nations or another international organization to advocate and push forward strategies to break the barriers of female human rights violations. In this position, I would further analyze women’s rights information on a nation-wide basis and provide input to briefings on human rights developments to intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations. Furthermore, I would like to be involved in the conceptualization of new operations, plans and missions, as well as the evaluation of adherence to relevant policies.
It is both my privilege and personal obligation to work alongside those in need.
In the words of Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile and former Executive Director of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, “We cannot afford to leave women marginalized…The future women want is free from poverty and discrimination, with equal access to opportunities and leadership.”