Patricee would be described by those who know her well as outspoken, passionate, humble, and confident and a “little crazy” in the head. This statuesque young woman that stands at 5ft 9 inches and lives by Rumi’s quote “I am not this hair, I am not this skin, I am the soul that lives within.” enjoys the simple things in life and believes “those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” It’s her collection of cards and broaches, family and friends especially her sisterhood, that are the flowers of happiness in her life. She enjoys travelling, reading, volunteerism and has a special interest in ancient and black history. She is happiest when she is serving others, which fits perfectly with her favorite quote “Life’s Most Persistent and Urgent Question Is, “What Are You Doing for Others?” Martin Luther King JNR.
She is a woman of many passions, who is on a mission to promote family planning in Guyana. At present she is trying to channel her passions, to focus on one and try to effect change in that area. Hence, she has been placing special emphasis on her SHRH work with a special interest on women and girls. She has always had an interest in women’s health and that has propelled her towards the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. However, of late she has been questioning if she belongs in the confinement of a hospital or she should be a foot soldier; one in the fields, meeting girls and women where they are most comfortable. She hopes to come to a decision concerning this before her year of internship is over.
It was this love for the promotion of the health and rights of women and girls’ that afforded her the opportunity along with 199 young people from around the world to be a Women Deliver Young Leader. It was while doing an online course for the said program she was asked to discuss a social ill in her country and quite causally she chose teenage pregnancy. However, after doing research and coming across the stats that says “Guyana has the second highest rate of adolescent pregnancy in both the Caribbean and South America, with 97 out of every 1,000 girls between the ages of 15 and 19 giving birth, according to the State of the World Population 2013 report.” She knew she had work to do.
Patricee isn’t looking to change the world but to bring about change in herself and those around her. If the work she does touches only one person that will make her as happy as if it had touched tens of thousands. She is currently working on a plan to engage the religious community on the East Coast of Demerara on sessions about family planning with a special emphasis on men. Since often times when topics of SRHR are done men and boys are often time left out of these discussions. According to her the truth is to promote the rights n well being of women and girls’, we need our men on board.
— with Patricee Douglas.
