Wellesley speech still resonates today
Nearly three decades ago, then-first lady Barbara Bush delivered what’s been called one of the speeches of the century at Wellesley College’s commencement.
Since that day in 1990, Bush’s words have guided Julia Porter Plowman’s life, she said.
“Her message was about humanity ... she starts to talk about finding joy and cherish human connection,” said Plowman, who was the senior class president. “It was a bigger message about encouraging us to be bigger than ourselves.”
Bush made waves with her message of empowerment and service to the world, combined with an unbridled appreciation for everything life has to offer.
“Believe in something larger than yourself, to get involved in some of the big ideas of our time,” Bush said. “Whether you are talking about education, career or service, you are talking about life, and life really must have joy.”
Still, Bush saved her most notable message to the largely female audience for the final lines.
“Somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow my footsteps — and preside over the White House as the president’s spouse,” Bush said. “And I wish him well!”
Bush’s appearance was initially protested by more than 100 students who were unsatisfied with the first lady as the replacement for the college’s first choice — Alice Walker. Decades later, the speech is described as one of the most memorable ever delivered by a first lady.
Plowman, now the managing director of a firm that helps companies sell products while doing good, said those words have carried her through her career and family life.
“Working’s very important, but there’s something more important than that. She encouraged us to find something bigger,” Plowman said. “Her words that day made a big impact on me and my professional path and my family.”