Pelosi Gives Commencement Address at Simmons College
Pelosi Gives Commencement Address at Simmons College
Sunday, May 16, 2004
Boston, Massachusetts-House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi delivered the commencement address at Simmons College's graduation today. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery:
"Good morning graduates.
"My dear friend, Emily Scott Pottruck, thank you - for such a gracious introduction and for your distinguished service as a proud alumna and trustee of Simmons College; and as President of the Pottruck Family Foundation, which for years has given help and hope to so many children.
"I also want to pay tribute to the late Board chair of Simmons College, Susan Bailis, whom I was proud to know. Susan was an outstanding leader in Boston's health care community. She provided exceptional leadership for Simmons even as she courageously battled breast cancer.
"President Dan Cheever, thank you for your stewardship of this great institution that by every measure - the caliber of your student body, the excellence of your faculty, the dedication of your alumni - is rising to new heights.
"To the entire Simmons family - trustees, faculty, staff, and especially the graduates and families - thank you for the magnificent honor that you are bestowing on me. The privilege of receiving this degree is even greater in such distinguished company: Sally Crane, Anne Garrels, Dean Ngina Lythcott, and Commissioner Harry Spence.
"It is great to be here in the shadow of the Green Monster and if you will allow me to take a moment of partisan privilege in the city that will host the convention that nominates the next President of the United States.
"To the Class of 2004, congratulations on the successful completion of your academic work, and best wishes for much happiness in your lives.
"And let us all salute your parents and families - who helped make this day possible. Let's give a special salute to the enlightened young men who achieved their graduate degrees at this women-centered institution.
"You graduate on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision. On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court handed down a unanimous decision that declared that "separate but equal" had no place in our society.
"Fifty years after Justice Warren declared in the Brown decision that not only our laws, but our hearts and minds must be transformed, America still faces challenges. We have had successes, but more needs to be done, and much of that work is left to you.
"In addition, as we gather here today, many young Americans are in harm's way bravely serving our nation abroad. We salute their courage and their patriotism. Their noble service reminds us of our responsibility-to build a future worthy of their sacrifice.
"As graduates of Simmons College, go forward to build that future confident that you have an excellent education, grounded in values and with a respect for the diversity and the greatness of our country.
"As I look out at the beautiful graduating class, I am reminded of my own graduation from another women's college, Trinity College in Washington, D.C. I never dreamed then that I would be addressing you today as Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.
"I have been asked to answer two questions today. First, how did I become House Democratic Leader, and, second, why is it important to have women in leadership?
"Briefly, my story. When I was born, my father was a Member of Congress. When I was growing up, he served as the Mayor of Baltimore. Back in the day, they would have said that politics was in our blood; today they would say it's in our DNA.
"I was the youngest of seven children, the only daughter of a devout Italian Catholic family. In our home it was family, the Catholic Church, the United States of America and the Democratic Party.
"Like many ethnic Americans, we were raised to take great pride in our heritage and we have a great love for America. That patriotism led my father and then my brother, who later also served as Mayor, to public service, which we considered a most noble calling.
"With all of those overly protective older brothers, all I wanted was my independence. Many of you may feel that way today.
"Fast forward to my graduation from college. President John F. Kennedy was calling us all to public service. Before responding to the call, my husband Paul and I had five children-in six years. Our children, and now our grandchildren, are the center of our lives. I'm so pleased that my daughter Christine is here with us today.
"I have always considered my involvement in politics as an extension of my role as a mother - to make the future better for our children, indeed better for all children.
"Though I had been Chair of the California Democratic Party, I never intended to seek public office. When the opportunity presented itself to run for Congress in 1987, four of my five children were in college, and one, Alexandra, was entering her senior year in high school.
"When I asked her whether she would mind my leaving home and going to Congress, she responded: "Mom, get a life." And so I did.
"What she meant was "get your own life." When I was younger, I wanted independence from my family, and now my family wanted independence from me.
"So I brought my own life into elective office and with it a passion to make a difference. That passion has sustained me. To succeed, you must lead with your head and listen to your heart.
"Now I sit at the table of power with the President of the United States and top leaders of Congress. At that table, national security, the economy, and other vital national issues are discussed.
"It is remarkable to me that in more than 200 years in our nation's history no woman had ever had a seat at that table.
"Which leads me to the second question: Why is it important to have women in leadership? Because women bring something unique to the table. I think many of you know of what I speak.
"I can tell you from my firsthand experience that any discussion of the most serious issues facing our country is enhanced by diversity at the table - diversity of gender and ethnic diversity. The more that tables of power reflect the beautiful diversity of our country, the sooner our policies will reflect the aspirations of all the American people.
"On behalf of the women of this nation, I am proud that I have been elected by my Democratic colleagues, men and women alike, to be House Democratic Leader. I am proud of my party for bringing our country closer to the ideal of equality that is both our heritage and our hope. My election was a watershed, and I am indebted to the courageous women of the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries on whose shoulders we all stand.
"So it is with gratitude to the heroic women of yesterday and with a responsibility to the young women of today that I am especially pleased to share some thoughts with this special graduating class.
"The struggle to establish an equal playing field for women has been a long and hard endeavor. It has demanded of our society - and especially of Simmons and of every college and university educating women students in the late 19th and early 20th century - an unwavering belief in the equality of women.
"What was the message in those early years? It was simple: women were equal to men as moral beings and as full participants of the Republic. Women were demanding equal treatment under the law. Women wanted equality.
"Today, we still want equality - both as a matter of law and of practical results. We need more women leaders in government, in business, in law, in diplomacy, and in higher education.
"Why? Because it takes the full spectrum of human talent to administer our complex society. There is no such thing as a worthwhile and flourishing public or private life that does not benefit from the talents of all people.
"Being a woman in our society has its special challenges, and women often have different approaches from men to similar situations. I do believe that men and women each possess distinctive gifts and insights as we approach the great issues and the practical problems of daily life.
"What is that difference? It is that special strength that comes to us because women must deal with complexity, day by day in our own lives, and, increasingly, in public life as well.
"Not only are we changing the world, but we are bringing with us the best of our identities. We bring our extended and chosen family. We bring care and compassion. We bring sensitivity and respect for others. We bring strength.
"And we bring our communities. And because women are loyal to their communities, our communities are turning to us increasingly for leadership.
"It is a sense of community that we women have always taken with us in our long struggle for equality. It is a Simmons College sense of community that you, the Class of 2004 will take with you as you seek to make a difference.
"A sense of community is a strong American value. Whatever our differences, whatever our gifts and distinctions, there is a community - and an equality - at the core of this great nation that has as its goal life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, for men and women alike.
"Our country is looking for new leadership, leadership that unites our country. Leadership that values discourse over discord, and community over confrontation.
"Every one of you is blessed with the talent and opportunity to make a difference. Simmons graduates, as you go forward, recognize your strength, listen to your heart, and know thy power. The future of our country depends on it.
"God bless you. And congratulations."