As early as nine years old, Rotary Club of San Juan del Monte member Isabelle Precious Lee has heard the devastating stories of sexually abused girls—those who were raped and impregnated by their fathers, those forced into sex slavery by their families. The stories stayed, not only in her head but more so in her heart.
As she learned more about sexual abuse and its complexities, she arrived at a hopeful realization “that eradicating it is not only crucial but attainable, especially if talked about more openly.”
In journalism she found a vehicle she can use to help address the issue and “empower the oppressed and drive systemic change.” So, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communications, cum laude, from the Ateneo de Manila University, she joined the print media, and later moved to television.
Determined to be good in her field, Isabelle decided to take up further studies last year. Thus, at the Columbia University in New York she enrolled in dual post-graduate programs leading to the following degrees: Master of International Affairs at the School of International and Public Affairs, with a concentration on Human Rights and specialization on Gender and Public Policy; and Master of Science in Journalism at the School of Journalism.
Presently she is a media and communications intern at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in New York, the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency. Her exposure in UNFPA intensified her conviction, that “the most important missions, projects, and campaigns would have minimal impact without the help of media.” She has also been accepted as an intern at CNN-New York this fall for “Cuomo Primetime,” a daily newscast which she will be doing alongside her full-time studies.
Her direction in life is even clearer now. While she realizes that New York is the place for her to grow right now, the injustices in the Philippines remain fresh in her mind, and that she will help fight these with a sharper globally honed pen as her sword.
Read the full story in the September 2019 issue of the Philippine Rotary magazine.
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