Spelman College

"You young women have to know it is time for you to take charge.  I'm looking at you and your sisters to spread the word that it's your time.  This is not time for you to be cute or to think that you are cute.  It's time for you to pick up the pace and lead.  Look at this world and examine the faults that you see, pick the one that you want and say 'I want that job.'  I'm telling you that you can do it, and every person surrounding you this evening believes you can do it. 

They want you to lead in business, they want you to lead in medicine, they want you to lead in everything.  There's a mayor sitting here and how many of you out there can't see yourself running for anything?  Well, you better change your mind, because it's your turn.  When you step up and you pick up your diploma, it's not time for you to fool around anymore.  Our race depends on you and your sisters graduating all across this United States to realize what's left: it's you."