By channeling that discomfort you feel into activism and a democracy that was designed to respond to those who vote. But the fact is, it works. There were the so-called scientific studies that said that black mens brains were smaller than white mens. (Applause.) They even threw prayer books at her as she tried to speak. And youll be flying through the air, out of this world -- free. Maybe your family has been in this city for generations, or maybe, like my family, they came to this country centuries ago in chains. Ive seen you speaking out in gun violence and fight climate change. Sojourner Truth was angry. (Applause.). And I think this was the perfect place to be, because this is my last chance to share my love and admiration, and hopefully a little bit of wisdom with a graduating class. But I also imagine that you might think about all that history, all those heroes who came before you -- you might also feel a little pressure, you know -- pressure to live up to the legacy of those who came before you; pressure to meet the expectations of others. You all have worked so hard and come so far to reach this milestone, so I know this is a big day for all of you and your families, and for everyone at this school who supported you on this journey. God bless. MRS. OBAMA: Wow! So for me, being Mom-in-Chief is, and always will be, job number one. But these were my choices, my issues. So there will be times, just like for those Airmen, when you feel like folks look right past you, or they see just a fraction of who you really are. And I decided to tackle them in the way that felt most authentic to me -- in a way that was both substantive and strategic, but also fun and, hopefully, inspiring. God bless you. Michelle Obama: (01:02) Or consider the story of the former CEO of Intel, Andrew Grove, class of 1960. (Applause.) This is it. Transcripts & captions for a better media workflow. No, our greatness has always come from people who expect nothing and take nothing for granted -- folks who work hard for what they have then reach back and help others after them. In that speech, Michelle said Maya's poem, "Phenomenal Woman," "spoke to the essence of black women." "As a young woman, I needed that message," she said. So really, it is no accident that this institution has produced 10 Nobel Prize winners -- (applause) -- along with countless captains of industry, cultural icons, leaders at the highest levels of government. Michelle Obama Speech at Spelman's 2011 Commencement part 2/2 Press Release First Lady Michelle Obama To Deliver Commencement Address To The Spelman College Class Of 2011 Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad to receive Honorary Degrees Teach For America CEO Wendy Kopp to receive National Community Service Award Michelle Obama: (03:42) The first is this life will always be uncertain. To celebrate the graduates whose final years of school have been upended, former first lady Michelle Obama and former president Barack Obama are taking part in a YouTube special. (Laughter.) Michelle Obama's commencement address at Bowie State) Because they knew it wasnt enough to welcome women and African American students to Oberlin if they would only graduate in four years to be second-class citizens in their own country. I think your valedictorian put it best -- and this is a quote -- he said, The sole irreplaceable component of my CCNY experience came from learning alongside people with life experiences strikingly different from my own. He said, I have learned that diversity in human experience gives rise to diversity in thought, which creates distinct ideas and methods of problem solving. That was an okay quote. 19). It means reaching back to help young people whove been left out and left behind, helping them prepare for college, helping them pay for college, making sure that great public universities like this one have the funding and support that they need. T-U! First Lady Michelle Obama delivered a powerful commencement speech at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, on Saturday, addressing the stereotyping and pressure she feels not only . It can be a useful force, but left on its own it will only corrode and destroy and sow chaos on the inside and out. Youll experience illnesses and losses, crises and setbacks that will come out of nowhere and knock you off your feet. This is Mrs . Youve got it. Those Airmen who rose above brutal discrimination -- they did it so the whole world could see just how high black folks could soar. If we dont agree with every last bit of their approach. (Applause.). Staying up late writing those papers, studying for exams. But heres the thing -- our history provides us with a better story, a better blueprint for how we can win. That is the power of our differences to make us smarter and more creative. (Applause.). And with the education youve gotten at this fine school, and the experiences youve had in your lives, let me tell you, nothing - and I mean nothing - is going to stop you from fulfilling your dreams. Former First Lady Michelle Obama, YouTube's Dear Class of 2020 --"Deep and . Debating each others ideas, pushing each other to question old assumptions and consider new perspectives. (Applause.) (Applause.). We see how these inequalities are playing out on our streets, and its not just the communities most affected by these challenges that see it now. (Applause.). Sponsors. Instead, I think they knew that if they could just get everyone to take that first step, then folks would keep on moving in the right direction. (Applause.) Graduates, today -- today, you can mentor a young person and make sure he or she takes the right path. Youve got families up in the stands who will support you every step of the way. My life and so many of your lives are a testament of that truth. Michelle Obama gave a powerful commencement address to the high school and college graduates in the class of 2020. Let's let our graduates rest themselves. And I think this was the perfect place to be, because this is my last chance to share my love and admiration, and hopefully a little bit of wisdom with a graduating class. Every time we look at our phones or hear helicopters circling our neighborhoods. Not when women still make less than men for the same work. Michelle Obama Commencement Speech Transcript 2020, Congressional Testimony & Hearing Transcripts. (Applause.). Speech-to-Text live streaming for live captions, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition API. You will follow heroes like Dr. Boynton Robinson -- (applause) -- who survived the billy clubs and the tear gas of Bloody Sunday in Selma. (Laughter.) If youre living in a constant state of fear, how much farther behind will you be after months in quarantine and without a job. More progress on LGBT rights than any time in our history. Ive seen your creativity and your talent and your resourcefulness. Just look at the story of Oberlin College. "I want you all to stay true to the most real, most sincere, most authentic parts of yourselves" ("Remarks by the First Lady at Tuskegee University Commencement Address" par. I wish you the best of luck. Then there was the first time I was on a magazine cover -- it was a cartoon drawing of me with a huge afro and machine gun. You went to countless happy hours, and happy-happy hours at the Feve I hear(laughter)Im going to try one of those burgers for lunch today; thats all Im going to have(laughter)where of course, parents, thats where they studied some more. And when they finally deployed overseas, white soldiers often wouldnt even return their salutes. Michelle Obama: (04:56) On Saturday evening, May 16, Barack Obama delivered a commencement address to the high school Class of 2020, whose graduations were cancelled due to coronavirus. Thats the only real currency in life. So they took advantage of whatever resources they had in their own time, thundering from the pulpit and the convention floor, penning letters from a jail cell, standing up for their rights in the face of police violence. To have you be seen, but not heard. Sixteen million people who finally have health insurance. Under Title 17 U.S.C. Well, after facing all kinds of opposition, he eventually agreed to a Social Security plan that covered only 60 percent of workers. MRS. OBAMA: Oh, I. As the annual blitz of commencement speeches get underway, CNN highlights some of the most memorable from years past. Back when my husband first started campaigning for President, folks had all sorts of questions of me: What kind of First Lady would I be? Michelle Obama: ( 00:07) Hey everybody. What inspires you? (Applause.) Its okay if you dont understand exactly what youre feeling, were all sorting through this in real time. And you have as much responsibility and just as much power to wake up and play your part in our great American story. I understand he was such a talented young man, a promising aerospace engineer who was well on his way to achieving his dream of following in the footsteps of the Tuskegee Airmen. "Leave behind all the old ways of thinking that divide us: sexism, racial prejudice, status, greed," Obama said . Youve got to vote, vote, vote, vote. (Applause.) Back in the late 1800s, the school needed a new dormitory, but there was no money to pay for it. Ive seen you gathering donations for those in need during this pandemic. ), I also have to recognize the Concert Choir. Ive experienced a little bit of it myself. If my generation did trust me, wed have fixed the whole of this long time ago, but that doesnt mean we should feel hopeless. And its the story of my family, too. Follow whats happening in your city hall, your statehouse, Washington, D.C. ), Now, on this day before Mothers Day, Ive got to give a special shout-out to all the moms here. And sometimes its almost impossible to move upward at all, because if youre required to work during a pandemic, but dont have enough protective equipment or health insurance from your employer or paid sick leave, what is more essential, your work or your life. This is it. But eventually, I realized that if I wanted to keep my sanity and not let others define me, there was only one thing I could do, and that was to have faith in Gods plan for me. Because I know that there is no better way to celebrate this great country than being here with you. You may also be feeling some real anxiety about venturing out into the world beyond these walls. They got fluent in the language of power. The truth is when it comes to all those tiny stories of hard work and self determination that wed like to tell ourselves about America. I cant wait to see what you all achieve in the years ahead. (Applause.) And finally, think about how even with all the gridlock and polarization in Washington, we have made so much change these past six years: 12 million new jobs. (Applause.) Better yet, run for office yourself. Those moments when your classmates showed you that your stubborn opinion wasnt all that well-informed -- mmm hmm. Get in there. Think about the millions of folks who got out to vote on Election Day, waiting in the cold and rain in lines that stretched for hours, refusing to leave until they made their voices heard. So if you hear people expressing bigoted views or talking down to those people, it is up to you to call them out because we wont solve anything. I mean, weve talked about it -- Antonios, Im going to talk a little bit about diversity, thank you. When they ventured off base, the white sheriff here in town called them boy and ticketed them for the most minor offenses. Ask yourself, do you know where your polling place is? (Applause.) And those interactions have been such a critical part of your education at this school. You give me chills. Remarks by the First Lady of the United States. You have developed that muscle. Treating people right will never ever fail you. It never is, especially for folks like you and me. I also want to tell you how proud and how moved I am to receive this honorary degree from this particular schoolthe first college in America to officially embrace the admission of black students, and the first co-ed school to grant bachelors degrees to women. Transcribe Your Own Content Try Rev for free and save time transcribing, captioning, and subtitling. Michelle Obama: (09:57) We dont build up walls to keep people out because we know that our greatness has always depended on contributions from people who were born elsewhere but sought out this country and made it their home - from innovations like Google and eBay to inventions like the artificial heart, the telephone, even the blue jeans; to beloved patriotic songs like God Bless America, like national landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and, yes, the White House - both of which were designed by architects who were immigrants. (Applause.) They didnt say its my way or the highway. Instead, they knew where they wanted to go, and they were strategic and pragmatic about getting there. It starts where change always starts in your own home, in your own social circles, in your own neighborhoods, at your own dinner tables. I struggled to find the right words of wisdom for you today. In fact, I sometimes have that instinct myselfrun! Thank you so much. They didnt just give up and retreat to the comfortable company of like-minded folks, because they understood that this is how democracy operates. Michelle Obama kicked off her "Dear Class of 2020" graduation speech with a list of uncomfortable questions and truths. (Applause. Look, I love our daughters more than anything in the world, more than life itself. (Laughter.) Below, watch and read the 44th president's full inspiring message and speech closing out the "Graduate . And while that may not be the first thing that some folks want to hear from an Ivy-league educated lawyer, it is truly who I am. Back in those days, I had a lot of sleepless nights, worrying about what people thought of me, wondering if I might be hurting my husbands chances of winning his election, fearing how my girls would feel if they found out what some people were saying about their mom. (Applause.) (Applause.) Michelle Obama gave her final remarks as First Lady on Friday, choking up as she urged young Americans to remain hopeful and engaged in the country's future. That leads me to my second lesson, in an uncertain world time tested values like honesty and integrity, empathy and compassion. (Applause.) ), Let me start by thanking President Johnson for that very gracious introduction, and for awarding me with this honorary degree from an extraordinary institution. And all of this used to really get to me. So proud of you all back there. It needed to be carried, not just by the housekeeper and the shift worker, but by the senator and the congresswoman and yes the President of the United States. (Applause.). And just think about the students in this very graduating class - students like the economics and pre-law major from Albania, who also completed the requirements for a philosophy major and dreams of being a public intellectual. (Laughter.). Instead, its important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages. They knew that our policies matter. And I want to thank President Tatum for her leadership and for that very kind and generous introduction. Transcript: Read Michelle Obama's full speech from the 2016 DNC By Washington Post Staff July 26, 2016 at 11:06 a.m. EDT First lady Michelle Obama addressed the crowd on the opening day. Let me just say a few thank yous. And most of all, youve got yourselves -- and all of the heart, and grit, and smarts that got you to this day. Well, then how do you begin to chart your own course? A few years later, when George Washington Carver first came here for his research, there was no laboratory. He was a Hungarian immigrant whose harrowing escape from Nazism and communism shaped both his talent for business and his commitment to philanthropy. They answered your late-night phone calls even when you were just calling for money. Not when too many young people still languish in communities ripped apart by violence and despair. Yes! They act as if name-calling is an acceptable substitute for thoughtful debate, as if anger and intolerance should be our default state rather than the optimism and openness that have always been the engine of our progress. These are uncomfortable questions, questions that have dogged this country for generations, but are now staring us in the face. The educational theater student from right here in Harlem whos already an award-winning playwright and recently spoke at the White House. It is such a -- you all, rest yourselves. Her moral leadership on behalf of children in this country has inspired me throughout my career, as well as my husband, the President of the United States. It is a lesson that most of us get the chance to learn over the course of years and years, even decades, but one that youre learning right now. Maybe they dont even want to see you at all, but those people dont know your story. Yeah! And as weve seen over the past few years, those feelings are real. And believe me, I know this from personal experience. Just look around. But, as potentially the first African American First Lady, I was also the focus of another set of questions and speculations; conversations sometimes rooted in the fears and misperceptions of others. (Applause. For others, it was the notion that Obama's speech, tied to the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. . Deep and loving connections with others, honest work that leads to lasting contributions to your community. It does not work if you disengage from the process. You know, it's hard to believe that it has been eight years since I first came to this convention to talk with you about why I thought my husband should be President. Wow, you guys are good! But also by the rumbling of the age old fault lines that our country was built on the lines of race and power that are now once again. And you deserve every last one of the successes that I know you will have. And please, please, always, always do your part to help others do the same. These are just four of the nearly 4,000 unique and amazing stories in this graduating class - stories that have converged here at City College, this dynamic, inclusive place where you all have had the chance to really get to know each other, to listen to each others languages, to enjoy each others food -- lasagna, obviously -- (laughter) -- music, and holidays. This is historical material frozen in time. So, again, Im proud of you all. The extraordinary challenges of COVID-19 called for creative planning to send off graduates in a meaningful way. Calculate how much it costs to transcribe, caption, or subtitle your content. Political News Video amp Analysis. (Applause.) (Applause.) Without mentioning the presumptive Republican presidential candidate by name, the first lady made one of the most . You represent just about every possible background - every color and culture, every faith and walk of life. Instead they will make assumptions about who they think you are based on their limited notion of the world. Sometimes its easy to stand with strangers that are protests than it is to challenge someone in your own backyard. Resources and Support for College Students, Resources and Support for Conservatory Students, Oberlin Marks 2020 Commencement Weekend with Virtual Celebrations, College Announces 2019 Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipients, Main Library Will Be Named for Activist, Alumna Mary Church Terrell. With commencements and graduations across the country cancelled, Former First Lady Michelle Obama and her Reach Higher initiative teamed up with YouTube to celebrate students reaching this. But most of all, I want to acknowledge all of you - the brilliant, talented, ambitious, accomplished, and all-around outstanding members of the class of 2016! (Applause.) Not just when my husband or somebody you like is on the ballot. Are you sure? Instead, after he left the Army, he finished his education. We need you to channel the magic of Tuskegee toward the challenges of today. How to Write a Graduation Speech Advice from a. (Applause.) I can tell you that our democracy is sturdy and yes, it still works, but it doesnt work if you silence yourselves. Build with the best speech-to-text APIs around. Former President Barack Obama spoke Saturday at "Graduate Together: High School Class of 2020 Commencement," an event organized by XQ Institute, a think tank that works with schools, in. Read Obama's inspiring commencement address to 2020's high school graduates. (Applause.). Good evening. I could go on. And I know, as President Krislov understands, that electing the right folks mattersit matters a lot. And I know you worked hard to make it to this moment, didnt you? And many of you know what its like to live not just month to month or day to day, but meal to meal. (Applause.). I want you all to stay true to the most real, most sincere, most authentic parts of yourselves. And of course, Barack has endured his fair share of insults and slights. Let me just take it in. Hey everybody. So, graduates, with your glorious diversity, with your remarkable accomplishments and your deep commitment to your communities, you all embody the very purpose of this schools founding. See, all of you know, for centuries, this city has been the gateway to America for so many striving, hope-filled immigrants -- folks who left behind everything they knew to seek out this land of opportunity that they dreamed of. But just like all those folks who came before us, youve got to do something to lay the groundwork for future generations. I certainly hope so. (Applause.) I wanted to be here to celebrate all of you, this school, this city. But unlike so many other young people, you have already developed the resilience and the maturity that you need to pick yourself up and dust yourself off and keep moving through the pain, keep moving forward. ), Just think about the arc of this universitys history. (Laughter.) Obama grew up near the school, and during her emotional commencement address, she said she wanted to share "the real story" about the South Side, a story about resilience and courage in the face of . Dont be afraid. Following is a transcript of Michelle Obama's commencement speech at the University of California, Merced, as provided by the White House. Like I said before, I dont have any easy answers for you, but I do have some lessons I want to share about how to move forward in these tumultuous times. Was he thrilled about that? And your amazing salutatorian, Orubba Almansouri. Thank you all. Because even if youre nervous or unsure about what path to take in the years ahead, I want you to realize that youve got everything you need right now to succeed. So nakedly exposed for all of us to grapple with. That is how you will have a meaningful journey on those clamorous highways of life. I celebrated military kids with Kermit the Frog. No, no, I had my share of bumps along the way. Public education is our greatest pathway to opportunity in America. It is beyond a pleasure and an honor for me to be here with all of you today. And he knew that he was taking to the skies for them -- to give them and their children something more to hope for, something to aspire to. Search over 350 speeches by name,. I am proud to have this degree -- very proud. No, really, who am I? Thank you for creating these fabulous individuals. Generation after generation, this country has become more equal, more inclusive, more fair, more free. I worked with Congress on legislation, gave speeches to CEOs, military generals and Hollywood executives. 10 Nobel Prize winners, at least 11 Oscar recipients, and secures nearly $60 million per year in research awards that address pressing needs and lead to improvements in people's lives and communities around the world. That means raising your hand when you get a seat in that board meeting and asking the question, well, whose voices arent being heard here? No, not when many young people just like you -- the men and women we honor this Memorial Dayhave sacrificed their lives for your freedom to make your voice heard. Michelle Obama delivered her final commencement address as first lady on Friday to thousands graduating from the City College of New York in Harlem. Check out our hand-picked selection of commencement addresses, going back to 1774. Because talent and effort combined with our various backgrounds and life experiences has always been the lifeblood of our singular American genius. I felt it most profoundly when my father and my best friend died within a year of each other. And while the history of this campus isnt perfect, the defining story of Tuskegee is the story of rising hopes and fortunes for all African Americans. (Applause. Michelle obama speech transcript 2020 AP-21. We want everything right awaywhether its an Uber or your favorite TV showand we want it tailored to our exact preferences and beliefs. If you cant even approach the police without fearing for your life. (Applause. Thank you. And here in America, we dont give in to our fears. And youve taken so many different paths to this moment. No, were all in this together. CNN Read former first lady Michelle Obama's speech from the 2020 Democratic National Convention, as prepared for delivery: Good evening, everyone. This is historical material frozen in time. Michelle Obama as well baby mamma. Look, Ive been there many times in my life. Because heres the thing -- the road ahead is not going to be easy. First Lady Michelle Obama used her final commencement address to deliver a series of important messages to this year's graduates. Now, the process of democracy might not always be as fast or as smooth as wed like. I think we all are. So he dug through trash piles and collected old bottles, and tea cups, and fruit jars to use in his first experiments. And I know that these days, that can seem counterintuitive, because we live in such an instantaneous age. And they also understood that often, the biggest, most dramatic change happens incrementally, little by little, through compromises and adjustments over years and decades. (Applause. No, of course not. (Applause.) You rob yourself of the things that matter most. Apple executive Lisa Jackson will give the keynote Commencement address; scientist Joanne Chory and broadcast journalist Robert Krulwich 69 will also receive honorary degrees. So, yeah, I planted a garden, and hula-hooped on the White House Lawn with kids. Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama gave a virtual video speech on July 13 to the 2020 Girl Up Leadership Summit attendees. See, the truth is that the overwhelming majority of people in this country are open-minded and big-hearted. Thank you so much. 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