Trinity Washington University

At Spelman, Bennett, Trinity and all of our women’s colleges, we are in the business of developing leaders for such a time as this. Let me indicate what I think are the attributes of a 21st century leader.

First, be bodacious. You must speak up and speak out on what is important to you as women and what is important in the world. One of my sheroes, Audre Lorde, once said, “Silence and invisibility go hand in hand with powerlessness.”

Secondly, women leaders must be revolutionaries. Let me hasten to say what I mean when I call for women to be revolutionaries. A revolutionary is someone who believes that things can change and she works to bring about that change.

Thirdly, women leaders must be of service to others. I grew up hearing repeatedly that, “Doing for others is just the rent you must pay for your room on earth.” I know that message is at the heart of the kind of education you have received here at Trinity Washington University.

Fourth and finally, a woman leader for such a time as this must respect and celebrate human diversity. It has always been true, but today as technology transforms our world into a global village, a leader must respect the diversity of human kind and think and act in an inclusive way.

I believe women leaders must understand and practice the truth that we can be for ourselves without being against others. Or to use a favorite expression of the Women’s College Coalition: At a women’s college we are never against men. But oh, are we for women!