2008 New Leaders Summer Interns
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Melissa Yee
Hometown: New York City, New York
Age: 19
School: Cornell University
Interests: Bubble Tea, Knitting, Meeting with Friends over food, Reading, CPL 2008 New Leaders Class, Cultural Awareness (esp. Asian American), Helping to empowering those who think they have none
Internship: United Food and Commercial Workers
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Melissa is originally from New York City and is a currently a student at Cornell University majoring in Industrial and Labor Relations.
She competes with Cornell University Mock Trial Team and served as a Workshop Coordinator for the 2008 East Coast Asian American Student Union Conference. |
"I believe that everyone should have access to the same resources."
- Melissa Yee,
2008 New Leaders Summer Intern |
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| More about Melissa |
What are you most passionate about?
I am extremely passionate about actual (not perceived) fair treatment for all groups, despite one's background. Recently, I've been exploring the advancement of this ideal via the legal system.
You're stranded on a deserted island. What is one book or album that you can't live without?
One Hundred Secret Senses-Amy Tan
What do you hope to take away from your experience as a CPL New Leader?
Difficult situations, more specifically ones that affect people of every socioeconomic class, often require expensive resources like doctors or lawyers. A few years ago, my neighbors, went through a difficult time. Their grandmother suffered complications in a surgery and passed away as a result of long-term medical malpractice. When the immigrant family spoke to the doctors and medical examiners, the family did not understand them. I was asked to accompany the family and translate. I was a 14 year-old girl, and as dictated by the Chinese culture, was not usually listened to by adults. However, when I spoke in the room that day and translated, my elders were silent and kept their eyes on me, waiting for instructions and directions.
When I asked my mother why everyone was so uncharacteristically attentive, she responded, “It’s because they can’t afford another doctor to tell them what’s wrong or a lawyer to help them. You’re their lawyer.” It was that moment I realized that the equal opportunities and resources that America offered were not really as ubiquitous as had always been claimed. I believe that everyone should have access to the same resources and as a CPL New Leader, I hope to work at a legal agency to help further the availability and accessibility of legal services to everyone.
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