My 40th reunion is coming up, and yesterdays commencement reminded me once again that Barnard College changed my life. The most selective college for women in the country, Barnard didnt teach us that our opinions were acceptable, but that they were absolutely required. Every time I wrote a column I thought, Im not sure I could do this job if not for Annette Baxter, Kate Stimpson, Dennis Dalton, Elizabeth Hardwick, Peter Juviler, and all the other professors who taught me to take myself seriously by doing it for me first. Not to mention my classmates--if you are the least bit to inclined to think women are less in any way, sitting in a Barnard classroom will disabuse you of the notion. (It also disabused me of the notion that I was the smartest girl in the world. Not even close.) Congratulations to the strong beautiful Barnard women of the class of 2014. In my heart of hearts, when no one is listening, when I dont have to be politically correct, I think of all of you as my girls. You know how everyone who talks fitness now talks about your core? Well, if my experience is any indication, thats what Barnard has given you: not just an education, but a strong core that will carry you forward.
Posted on: Mon, 19 May 2014 15:41:36 +0000