Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Wellesley Commencement Address (2015)

On May 29, 2015, Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie delivered the commencement address at Wellesley College's 137th Commencement ceremony. Adichie challenged graduates to reject the cultural pressure placed on women to be universally likeable, arguing that seeking approval suppresses authentic conviction. She advised graduates that progressive change requires reforming unequal social structures rather than merely succeeding within them, while speaking openly about grief, privilege, and the necessity of telling honest stories.

Text from OyList