Youll have unreasonable bosses and difficult clients and patients. (Applause.). Somehow, you still managed to do prestigious internships and research fellowships, and join all kinds of clubs and activities. This is it. But, graduates, as you all know, life will put many obstacles in your path that are far worse than a bad grade. Former President Barack Obama spoke Saturday at "Graduate Together: High School Class of 2020 Commencement," an event organized by XQ Institute, a think tank that works with schools, in. Michelle Obama: (15:17) And I know that these days, that can seem counterintuitive, because we live in such an instantaneous age. Thank you. That leads me to my second lesson, in an uncertain world time tested values like honesty and integrity, empathy and compassion. Or when they helped you with a question that you couldnt have possibly answered on your own. We dont build up walls to keep people out because we know that our greatness has always depended on contributions from people who were born elsewhere but sought out this country and made it their home - from innovations like Google and eBay to inventions like the artificial heart, the telephone, even the blue jeans; to beloved patriotic songs like God Bless America, like national landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and, yes, the White House - both of which were designed by architects who were immigrants. And with the education youve gotten at this fine school, and the experiences youve had in your lives, let me tell you, nothing - and I mean nothing - is going to stop you from fulfilling your dreams. 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. So we thought we'd take a look at some of the best celebrity commencement speeches that aren't just - believe it or not - 1) monosyllabic words 2) comments about the size of the crowd or 3) attacks against the press and "pathetic" haters. To have you be seen, but not heard. You dont get to be cynical. Back in those days, I had a lot of sleepless nights, worrying about what people thought of me, wondering if I might be hurting my husbands chances of winning his election, fearing how my girls would feel if they found out what some people were saying about their mom. MRS. OBAMA: I love that. Ive experienced a little bit of it myself. But I also worked to ensure that my efforts would resonate with kids and families -- and that meant doing things in a creative and unconventional way. Not when too many young people still languish in communities ripped apart by violence and despair. You went to countless happy hours, and happy-happy hours at the Feve I hear(laughter)Im going to try one of those burgers for lunch today; thats all Im going to have(laughter)where of course, parents, thats where they studied some more. First Lady Michelle Obama. So if any of you are scared or confused or angry or just plain overwhelmed by it all, if you feel youre searching for lifeline just to steady yourself, you are not alone. Follow whats happening in your city hall, your statehouse, Washington, D.C. You have developed that muscle. Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama gave a virtual video speech on July 13 to the 2020 Girl Up Leadership Summit attendees. Thats just the way things are now. MRS. OBAMA: Wow! And whether you played sports yourself, or sang in the choir, or played in the band, or joined a fraternity or sorority -- after today, all of you will take your spot in the long line of men and women who have come here and distinguished themselves and this university. (Laughter.) I love you all. Michelle Obama: (07:10) Think about the millions of folks who got out to vote on Election Day, waiting in the cold and rain in lines that stretched for hours, refusing to leave until they made their voices heard. Today, you can volunteer at an after-school program or food pantry. Their legacy is very much your legacy and your inheritance. MICHELLE OBAMA: Thank you. First Lady Michelle Obama delivered a powerful commencement speech at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, on Saturday, addressing the stereotyping and pressure she feels not only . Let me tell you it is a pleasure and an honor -- yes, Chicago -- (laughter and applause) -- to be with all of you today. (Applause.) Congratulations again on your graduation. (Applause.). And on top of all of that, you spent thousands of hours giving back to this communitytutoring kids, playing music for seniors, serving food to folks in need, and of course, mentoring the local young people back thereI see you allthrough the Ninde Scholars Program. ), And Im also a little giddy to be joined on stage by another one of my heroes, Marian Wright Edelman. (Applause.) And, more importantly, you embody the very hopes and dreams carved into the base of that iconic statue not so far from where we sit -- on that island where so many of your predecessors at this school first set foot on our shores. 1. (Applause.) Its you. One said I exhibited a little bit of uppity-ism. Another noted that I was one of my husbands cronies of color. Cable news once charmingly referred to me as Obamas Baby Mama.. Very proud. (Applause.) Think about that brilliant scientist who made his lab from a trash pile. Beyonc delivered a special message to graduates during YouTube's Dear Class of 2020 broadcast. And, graduates, with a degree from this amazing school, and all the status and connections that degree confers, you dont get to have no hands. And dont just ask yourselves these questions. Graduation from college or high school is a culmination of years of hard work. First lady Michelle Obama addressed a crowd of graduates and their families at the 2015 commencement ceremony at Tuskegee University, in Alabama, describing her personal battle with . Try Rev for free and save time transcribing, captioning, and subtitling. During training, they were often assigned to menial tasks like housekeeping or landscaping. Michelle Obama: (11:51) Lets let our graduates rest themselves. And, graduates, you all have faced challenges far greater than anything I or my family have ever experienced, challenges that most college students could never even imagine. You dont get to have no hands. But I have traveled the world and seeing the governments and people in so many other countries. They are not an excuse to lose hope. Thats the only real currency in life. So go out there and make it happen. And I think this was the perfect place to be, because this is my last chance to share my love and admiration, and hopefully a little bit of wisdom with a graduating class. Maybe they just arrived here recently, determined to give you a better life. And, graduates, that is how you will carry on the proud legacy of this great institution for generations to come. They got fluent in the language of power. Because in this country, its never been each person for themselves. And youve taken so many different paths to this moment. It is a lesson that most of us get the chance to learn over the course of years and years, even decades, but one that youre learning right now. And even amidst the joy and excitement of graduation, I know that you may be feeling some real sadness about leaving this community behind. Youve got it. And when he was up in the sky, Charles sometimes looked down to see black folks out in the cotton fields not far from here -- the same fields where decades before, their ancestors as slaves. Deep and loving connections with others, honest work that leads to lasting contributions to your community. Make your content more accessible to people with disabilities. Now, yeah, it was satire, but if Im really being honest, it knocked me back a bit. Here they were, trained to operate some of the most complicated, high-tech machines of their day -- flying at hundreds of miles an hour, with the tips of their wings just six inches apart. 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. After being surrounded by people who are so dedicated to serving others and making the world a better place, you might feel a little discouraged by the polarization and gridlock that too often characterize our politics and civic life. Shake things up. They tell us to be afraid of those who are different, to be suspicious of those with whom we disagree. Instead, its important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages. As the annual blitz of commencement speeches get underway, CNN highlights some of the most memorable from years past. It needed to be carried, not just by the housekeeper and the shift worker, but by the senator and the congresswoman and yes the President of the United States. (Applause.) (Applause.) Thank you so much. And while neither of my parents went past high school, let me tell you, they saved up every penny that my dad earned at his city job because they were determined to send me to college. First Lady Michelle Obama delivered one of her final commencement speeches to the Santa Fe Indian School Thursday. Speech Michelle Obama, the former first lady, was the keynote speaker on the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention. You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. And your amazing salutatorian, Orubba Almansouri. I have seen how leaders who rule by intimidation - leaders who demonize and dehumanize entire groups of people - often do so because they have nothing else to offer. They wont know how hard you worked and how much you sacrificed to make it to this day -- the countless hours you spent studying to get this diploma, the multiple jobs you worked to pay for school, the times you had to drive home and take care of your grandma, the evenings you gave up to volunteer at a food bank or organize a campus fundraiser. Transcribe Your Own Content Try Rev for free and save time transcribing, captioning, and subtitling. Michelle Obama delivered her final commencement address as first lady on Friday to thousands graduating from the City College of New York in Harlem. And believe me, I understand that kind of pressure. They didnt say its my way or the highway. Instead, they knew where they wanted to go, and they were strategic and pragmatic about getting there. Surely their kids could go to school together. We always have been. And Im impressed by the community that you all have created herea warm, supportive, inclusive community that embodies the values that define this school. So proud of you all back there. (Laughter.) Next, Ive always felt a deep sense of obligation to make the biggest impact possible with this incredible platform. Not here. It means adding your voice to our national conversation, speaking out for our most cherished values of liberty, opportunity, inclusion, and respect - the values that youve been living here at this school. Epic increases in college financial aid. I had to answer some basic questions for myself: Who am I? Michelle Obama: ( 00:07) Hey everybody. Today, you can help your younger cousin fill out her college financial aid form so that she could be sitting in those chairs one day. And Im not going to lie to youfor many of you, this is going to be a pretty big transition. They built coalitions with folks like them and different from them. So please enjoy this moment. I have learned that as long as I hold fast to my beliefs and values -- and follow my own moral compass -- then the only expectations I need to live up to are my own. It deadens your spirit and it hardens your heart may seem like a winning strategy in the short run. Ive seen you marching with peace and with purpose and that is why even in tough times like these, you continue to be what gives me hope. And the answers to those questions have resulted in the woman who stands before you today. Instead, after he left the Army, he finished his education. I could go on. And let me tell you, you should feel so proud of making it to this day. First Lady Michelle Obama Tuskegee University Commencement Address (C-SPAN) C-SPAN 1.18M subscribers Subscribe 2.3K 202K views 7 years ago First Lady Michelle Obama delivers the. King's Arkansas speech came a year after federal troops protected nine black students attending all-white Little Rock Central High School. Following is a transcript of Michelle Obama's commencement speech at the University of California, Merced, as provided by the White House. (Applause.) Today, I want to urge you to actively seek out the most contentious, polarized, gridlocked places you can find. Was I too loud, or too angry, or too emasculating? Michelle Obama gave her final remarks as First Lady on Friday, choking up as she urged young Americans to remain hopeful and engaged in the country's future. So Id say that debate was pretty polarized, wouldnt you? Now, will this be easy? Generation after generation, this country has become more equal, more inclusive, more fair, more free. He said " this pandemic has fully finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they're doing .". You see, its wonderful to volunteer at your local homeless shelterplease do thatbut you also need to attend the city council meetings and make sure the zoning laws dont shut that shelter down. I think your valedictorian put it best -- and this is a quote -- he said, The sole irreplaceable component of my CCNY experience came from learning alongside people with life experiences strikingly different from my own. He said, I have learned that diversity in human experience gives rise to diversity in thought, which creates distinct ideas and methods of problem solving. That was an okay quote. So I just want to take it all in. It is beyond a pleasure and an honor for me to be here with all of you today. Maybe it feels like youre supposed to go to law school -- but what you really want to do is to teach little kids. Some of you have been homeless. Read the full transcript of her speech here. Because no matter what happened, I had the peace of mind of knowing that all of the chatter, the name calling, the doubting -- all of it was just noise. (Applause.) I would have given anything, anything to bring them back. Michelle Obama: (00:07) So we need to invest in and strengthen our public universities today, and for generations to come. (Applause.) They knew that our laws matter. So I want you all to go out there. (Applause.) Send any friend a . Do you know how to request a mail in ballot? Debating each others ideas, pushing each other to question old assumptions and consider new perspectives. But just like all those folks who came before us, youve got to do something to lay the groundwork for future generations. Michelle Obama: (08:23) Now, some folks criticized my choices for not being bold enough. As many of you know, I grew up in a working class family in Chicago. She spoke about starting her own business as a Black woman, and paid tribute to the Black Lives . He kept fulfilling his double duty long after he hung up his uniform. Or was I too soft, too much of a mom, not enough of a career woman? Love you all. Over the years, Ive occasionally run into the noise myself. 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