(Applause.) Become a freelancer and work on your own terms. Industry-leading accurate legal transcription to ensure you dont miss a statement. I want you to be safe and I cant wait to see you take the reins. More progress on LGBT rights than any time in our history. But heres the thing, while this period is certainly unprecedented, it is not a complete anomaly, simply some random coincidence to be dismissed. And believe me, I understand that kind of pressure. And even after my father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and he struggled to walk, relying on crutches just to get himself out of bed each morning, my father hardly ever missed a day of work. Ive seen your creativity and your talent and your resourcefulness. Today, I want to urge you to actively seek out the most contentious, polarized, gridlocked places you can find. God bless. So I am here today to talk to you, not as the former first lady, but as a real life person, a mother, a mentor, a citizen concerned about your future and the future of our country. Oberlin is likely the only college in America that I could have attended nearly two centuries ago, and I am honored to be part of the extraordinary legacy of this great institution. Let me start, of course, by thanking President Coico for that wonderful introduction, for her leadership here at City College, for this honorary degree. ), I also have to recognize the Concert Choir. MRS. OBAMA: Thank you all. So the question is, how will we respond? So Id say that debate was pretty polarized, wouldnt you? This is an important time of transition in light of the current state of our country. Well done. I'm so proud of you all. Her opponents declared that letting women vote was unnatural, would lead to child neglect and all kinds of social ills. I asked folks across the country to wear their alma maters T-shirts for College Signing Day. Just think about what that must have been like for those young men. And think about President Roosevelts struggle to pass the New Deal a few decades later. Thank you so much. No, no, I had my share of bumps along the way. And finally, think about how even with all the gridlock and polarization in Washington, we have made so much change these past six years: 12 million new jobs. We fill our Twitter feed with voices that confirm, rather than challenge, our views. Thank you so much. They don't know that part of you. MRS. OBAMA: I love that. Maybe your family has been in this city for generations, or maybe, like my family, they came to this country centuries ago in chains. And thats why, in his remarks 50 years ago, Dr. King urged the class of 65 to stand up and be a concerned generation. And, graduates, that call to action applies just as much to all of you today. Thank you so much. They went on to show the world that if black folks and white folks could fight together, and fly together, then surely -- surely -- they could eat at a lunch counter together. But, graduates, today, I want to be very clear that those feelings are not an excuse to just throw up our hands and give up. Look, I love our daughters more than anything in the world, more than life itself. This is historical material frozen in time. First Lady Michelle Obama Commencement Speech 2015 click for pdf [AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED: Text version below transcribed directly from audio] Thank you all. Well done. Its the story of the son of Polish immigrants named Jonas Salk who toiled for years in a lab until he discovered a vaccine that saved countless lives. Sometimes its easy to stand with strangers that are protests than it is to challenge someone in your own backyard. SOAPStone Speaker: Michelle Obama Occasion: City College . (Applause.). It teaches us that when we pull ourselves out of those lowest emotional depths, and we channel our frustrations into studying and organizing and banding together -- then we can build ourselves and our communities up. You have developed that muscle. Despite . But youve also got to elect good people to your school board and state legislature, because they decide whether you have the resources you need to inspire and empower your students. Michelle Obama's speech came more than a year after the university's 260-piece band marched in the inaugural parade for her husband, the nation's first black president. So, graduates, while I think its fair to say that our Founding Fathers never could have imagined this day, all of you are very much the fruits of their vision. Look, Ive been there many times in my life. And finally, most of all, I want to congratulate the men and women of the Tuskegee University Class of 2015! (Applause.) The student-led initiative to have her speak included a YouTube video, Facebook campaign and more than 900 Valentine's Day cards. Ive seen you speaking out in gun violence and fight climate change. Well, the reality is a lot more complicated than that because for too many people in this country, no matter how hard they work, there are structural barriers working against them that just make the road longer and rockier. Think about those students who made bricks with their bare hands. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. (Applause.) Were seeing the consequences of that right now. Good luck on the road ahead. Yes, amen. Im trying to cover you. But eventually, I realized that if I wanted to keep my sanity and not let others define me, there was only one thing I could do, and that was to have faith in Gods plan for me. Transcript: Read Michelle Obama's full speech from the 2016 DNC It certainly caught the attention of the press both on Monday and when the first lady tested it out last month during a. Graduates, anger is a powerful force. I also want to recognize Senator Schumer, Chancellor Milliken, Trustee Shorter, Edward Plotkin, as well as your amazing valedictorian, Antonios Mourdoukoutas -- did I get it right? (Laughter.) They didnt just give up and retreat to the comfortable company of like-minded folks, because they understood that this is how democracy operates. She said she accepted as she was moved by the sincerity and creativity of the appeal. And you dont have to be President of the United States to start addressing things like poverty, and education, and lack of opportunity. Well done! First of all, it is beyond a pleasure and an honor to be here to celebrate the City College of New York Class of 2016! (Applause. And I'm so glad to be here. (Applause.) Easily integrate Rev using our robust APIs to start building your product quickly. You see, graduates, I didnt start out as the fully-formed First Lady who stands before you today. Her moral leadership on behalf of children in this country has inspired me throughout my career, as well as my husband, the President of the United States. They did it so that others could follow them and learn on this campus, too. And FDR? ), Now, on this day before Mothers Day, Ive got to give a special shout-out to all the moms here. (Applause.) They tell us to be afraid of those who are different, to be suspicious of those with whom we disagree. And then I want you to take a deep breath and trust yourselves to chart your own course and make your mark on the world. The following is a White House transcript of first lady Michelle Obama 's speech to George Washington University graduates on Sunday . Im inspired by your commitment to service and social justice. (Applause.) And just think about the students in this very graduating class - students like the economics and pre-law major from Albania, who also completed the requirements for a philosophy major and dreams of being a public intellectual. Michelle obama speech transcript 2020 AP-21. No, of course not. Transcript of Michelle Obama's commencement address Chicago Tribune Jun 10, 2015 at 9:37 pm MRS. OBAMA: Wow! Michelle Obama: The story of our families. Beyonc delivered a special message to graduates during YouTube's Dear Class of 2020 broadcast. Youve worked hard for those seats! That means raising your hand when you get a seat in that board meeting and asking the question, well, whose voices arent being heard here? God bless you. He kept lifting other folks up through education. I have so much faith in who you will be. And the answers to those questions have resulted in the woman who stands before you today. He became a high school English teacher and a college lecturer. Barack Obama gave a speech in a HBCU virtual commencement, in which he criticized US leadership. And I have seen how places that stifle the voices and dismiss the potential of their citizens are diminished; how they are less vital, less hopeful, less free. Peloton: Get a great cardio workout at home with the Peloton Bike!Right now Peloton has a limited-time offer: get $100 off accessories when you purchase the Peloton Bike! The most accurate AI-powered transcription on the market. There will always be those who want to keep you silent. And you look good. I've been watching! First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver the commencement address during the 170 th. And, graduates, thats what we need from all of you. I did my research. (Applause.) Read more. I had to ignore all of the noise and be true to myself -- and the rest would work itself out. Graduates, you all are exactly what we need right now and for the years and decades to come, youre learning so much so quickly. (Applause. You know, it's hard to believe that it has been eight years since I first came to this convention to talk with you about why I thought my husband should be President. 1. (Laughter.) First of all, it is beyond a pleasure and an honor to be here to celebrate the City College of New York Class of 2016! For those of you who feel invisible, please know that your story matters, your ideas matter, your experiences matter, your vision for what our world can and should be matters. Former First Lady Michelle Obama gave a commencement address online to the graduating class of 2020. And Im impressed by the community that you all have created herea warm, supportive, inclusive community that embodies the values that define this school. Read the full transcript of her speech here. So there will be times, just like for those Airmen, when you feel like folks look right past you, or they see just a fraction of who you really are. 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