Four distinguished leaders
Smith College tells us about its four commencement speakers for this year.
Four distinguished leaders in the arts, academia, health and wellness, social justice, and innovation will be awarded honorary degrees at Smith’s 147th Commencement on Sunday, May 18. In a tradition begun last year by President Sarah Willie-LeBreton, each honorand will offer a few words of wisdom and congratulations to the graduates.
Did I mention that Smith is a women’s college?
Honorary degrees will be awarded in May to:
- Danielle Allen, professor of political philosophy, public policy, and ethics at Harvard University and founder and chairperson of Partners In Democracy.
- Evelyn M. Harris, vocal teacher, former member of the world-renowned a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock, and a global performer for more than 50 years.
- Admiral Rachel L. Levine, 17th assistant secretary for health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, accomplished physician, public health expert, and LGBTQ+ advocate.
And a man. Admiral Levine is a man. That’s an award that won’t go to a woman, because the good people at Smith wanted it to go to a man who playacts being a woman.
Smith devotes a lot of space to Levine’s bio, and doesn’t once mention that he’s a man, or even trans. Just she she she her her her. Women’s college insults women, news at 10.
I am a Smith grad. I remember vividly when I was there many women proudly proclaiming Smith would close their doors before succumbing to the pressure to go coed. At the time, chasing the money and the male students was something Vassar, Radcliffe, and other all female schools were doing. But I’m not surprised this is happening at all. Sad, but not surprised. Smith went off the rails awhile ago. Alas, generations of young women will be deprived of one of the few special places left that was dedicated to a female-only pursuit of intellectual curiosity.
There are so few people and institutions left on the rails now. It’s horrible.