Lincoln Scholar gains first-hand experience in creating global change

Ruby Nem’s passion for international human rights advocacy started at a young age in Myanmar (Burma). She was a child when she first learned about the push for children’s rights through training and educational sessions her mother encouraged her to attend. 

She even represented her home country at the first-ever Asian Children’s Summit. 

Now, through a program sponsored by Amnesty International, she is receiving one-on-one mentorship to help her prepare for the next step in a career advocating for human rights across the globe — a career that nearly didn’t happen

Nem came to Centre as a Lincoln Scholar. She enrolled in an International Studies class her first semester, but dropped the course after the first meeting, considering other career paths.

“College gives you a lot of space to think and reflect,” Nem said. “I went through that a lot my first year because it was a huge change coming here from a conflict zone.” 

That reflection led her back to where she had started, chasing a dream to make the world a better place 

“I did a lot of thinking and discovered I am very passionate about these issues,” she said. 

Now, Nem is about to graduate with a degree in International Studies and she connected the resurgence of her passion for international human rights with opportunities supported by her experiences at Centre and as a Lincoln Scholar. 

It was once such experience, teaching English in Guatemala, that rekindled her passion for international studies.

“That helped me realize that I really do care about human rights,” Nem said. “It’s what I’m passionate about.”

As one of five Amnesty International USA Board Mentees, she is meeting others like her to dream of extending a helping hand to those who need it most. 

Amnesty International is the oldest and largest global, grassroots organization advocating for human rights worldwide. The U.S. is the largest section of the international organization with more than a million activists.

Through the Board Mentee program, Nem is assigned a personal mentor who serves on the U.S. section’s board. Nem was paired with Rasha Abdel Latif, a director with Partners Global — a Washington D.C. based international affairs organization with the goal of strengthening civil society around the globe —  and a 40 Under 40 Arab American Award winner. 

“For her to be one of the people with the longest service on the board of directors and be doing this work on such a huge platform, I think it just goes to show the impact of the work that Amnesty is doing,” Nem said.

They regularly check in, and Nem has found her guidance especially helpful as she navigates fellowship applications and other potential opportunities after graduation.  

Nem also had the opportunity to grow her network in the field through an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. for the Amnesty International USA Human Rights Conference. She will travel to New York later this year for the board of directors meeting to reconnect with Latif, other board members and their mentees. 

“I really liked how the DC conference had people from all walks of life,” Nem said. “From professionals to the average American, these people care about civil society and human rights. 

“And they don’t stop there. They’re actually doing something about it, finding solutions and doing what they can. It’s very inspiring.”

Looking back, Nem knows that many of the opportunities she’s had may not have been possible without the opportunities she has received studying at Centre. 

“I do not come from a family with a lot of money or a great professional network,” she said. “I am blessed to say that the Lincoln Scholarship has provided that for me.” 

And the lessons and connections she’s made at Centre and with Amnesty International USA are paving the way toward her future advocating for change. 

“There’s so much potential for collaboration with different nations, across different races and different sectors,” Nem said. “The problems the world is facing are depressing and frustrating, but it pushes you to try harder. That’s what I like about this kind of work with human rights.”