Today we will look at the profile of the winner of the CTYA Outstanding Leadership Award, Ms. Jessica Devi Chandrashekar.

A leader leads by example. Leaders are not made only by what they say in words, but leaders are made by their actions and attitude. Jessica Devi Chandrashekar’s attitude and actions make her a highly influential role model, mentor and leader in the Canadian Tamil community. She is very deserving of CTYA’s Top Talents Outstanding Leadership Award.

Jessica’s passion for human rights advocacy is infectious. Her dedication and commitment to advocating for the rights of the Tamil people both academically and through her community work serves to be a model for many Tamil youth.

Jessica has completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto, majoring in Life Sciences. During her undergraduate career, she took a course that focused on the impacts of war on women, and was introduced to the specific ways in which war undermines the dignity and rights of women.  While this course helped open her eyes to women’s issues, she saw a gap in academia in understanding and altering the situation for oppressed women of war. This motivated her to pursue a Masters of Arts in Women’s Studies. She completed her Masters of Arts at the University of Toronto, and is currently completing her Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) at York University. Her academic achievements have made her a role model for other youth who see her as a friend whom they can identify with, and whose academic success they strive to achieve.

Despite her intensive Doctoral studies, Jessica has been highly active in human rights advocacy. Through her volunteerism with the Canadian Humanitarian Appeal for the Relief of Tamils (CanadiaHART) she traveled to Venezuela and Indonesia; in Indonesia, she advocated for the rights of a group of Tamils who were unjustly detained, and in Venezuela, she continued to raise the issue of these refugees and the human rights abuses of the Sri-Lankan Government. Because of her stance against human rights violations, she has experienced many difficulties, in Indonesia; she was arrested and deported for trying to deliver humanitarian aid to Tamil refugees. Yet, she has not given up, and persists in advocating for human rights. This persistent attitude and commitment to human rights not only makes her a role model, but makes her a caring human being.

In addition to leading by example, she mentors youth. She strives to instill in them the confidence to speak out against atrocities, and to aim for higher academic achievements by assisting in equipping them with the knowledge and tools they require. Looking at Jessica’s achievements, both academically and community wise, she is without question someone many youth hope to be like. Her work serves as inspiration and motivation for many youth who hope to follow in the path she has helped paved.

Jessica is currently completing her Ph.d, and hopes to become an academic, and pursue a career in the United Nations once completed.

“Jessica is a pioneering human rights advocate with outstanding communication skills who is tirelessly working for an equitable society. Jessica is a compassionate, intelligent and diligent young woman of color who is breaking boundaries in the pursuit of social change and is conducting inspirational work. Often times, I have personally witnessed the influence and inspiration characteristics she has on youths and other community members. She is a positive influence on her environment, and is always ready to help and motivate people, especially youths, to pursue their dreams.” – Sujananth Thiruavukkarasu, Nominator

“Her passion and committed advocacy has won the hearts of many people, most importantly the nearly 200 people who were stranded in the boat. Her knowledge of the refugee laws, and her first hand knowledge of the struggles faced by refugees makes her voice a strong and effective one. Jessica is a young woman who is committed to human rights for all. In addition to her community development, refugee rights and peace activities she is a well recognized women’s rights expert. Her analysis of racialized and marginalized women’s rights issue and advocacy is something that Tamils, especially the Tamil youth, need to learn from, recognize and celebrate.” – Abimanyu Singam, Reference