Melinda French Gates delivered a commencement speech at Stanford University, touching on personal and philosophical topics. She discussed transitions in life, including her divorce from Bill Gates and leaving the Gates Foundation to focus on her own philanthropic efforts. Referencing the spiritual leader Ram Dass, she talked about navigating transitions without losing one’s core identity. French Gates advised the graduates to sit with transitions and emphasized the importance of what one does after enduring tough changes.
French Gates offered three lessons for the graduates to take with them. She emphasized the need to keep an open mind about career paths and identities, encouraging them to remember that they are “water” and not defined by one path. She also spoke about finding support from others, sharing a story of a colleague at Microsoft who helped her navigate a challenging work environment. Additionally, she stressed the importance of building a web of trust in both personal and professional relationships.
In her speech, French Gates emphasized the transformative power of contraceptives for women and stressed the importance of women being able to make their own decisions and control their resources. She encouraged the graduates to be open to new challenges and to be supportive of others on their journeys. French Gates shared personal experiences of grief and hardship, highlighting the importance of community in rebuilding a broken world. She reminded the graduates that together, they can work towards making things whole again.
French Gates spoke about her own experiences with transitions and challenges, highlighting the importance of resilience and perseverance. She shared stories of finding support from others and learning to navigate difficult situations, encouraging the graduates to do the same. French Gates discussed the importance of staying true to oneself and not losing one’s identity in the face of change. She emphasized the power of community in rebuilding and supporting one another in a broken world.
In conclusion, Melinda French Gates’ commencement speech at Stanford University focused on navigating transitions, finding support from others, and building trust in personal and professional relationships. She shared personal stories and advice with the graduates, encouraging them to keep an open mind about their paths and to remember the importance of community in times of hardship. French Gates challenged the graduates to be resilient, supportive, and true to themselves as they embark on their post-graduation journeys.
