Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Address | Harvard Class Day 2022

TL;DR

Boston's Mayor shares her personal journey and encourages the Class of 2022 to embrace their truths, seek the real experiences of others, and speak the truth to build trust and create positive change.

Transcript

(audience applauding) - Thank you both so much. Thank you for that very generous, kind introduction. It feels like there's sort of a transformative experience bingo card out there that I'm gonna just, I'll try to weave that in as well. And thank you Youmna, for saving me, I forgot my prepared remarks today, and instead, grabbed accidentally, my six... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Embracing one's own truth and authenticity is crucial for personal happiness and impactful leadership.
• ❓ Real experiences and perspectives are invaluable in understanding and solving societal issues.
• 🙊 Speaking the truth, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable, is essential for building trust and creating positive change.
• 😃 Prioritizing self-care and finding joy in one's actions can lead to a more fulfilling and impactful life.
• 👋 Boston's history of overcoming opposition to public goods serves as a reminder of the importance of boldness and creativity in effecting positive change.
• 🍳 Building trust and breaking down misinformation is essential for tackling societal challenges.
• 👻 Creating spaces and support systems that allow individuals to be their authentic selves is crucial for personal growth and success.

Questions & Answers

Q: What personal experiences shaped the Mayor's journey to becoming Boston's mayor?

The Mayor's experience as a caregiver for her mother and navigating challenges within her family inspired her to pursue a career in politics and work towards creating systems that better support vulnerable populations.

Q: How does the Mayor encourage graduates to make an impact in their communities?

The Mayor urges graduates to prioritize self-care and authenticity, seek out real experiences and perspectives of those affected by the issues they wish to solve, and speak the truth to build trust and create positive change.

Q: How does the Mayor address the issue of misinformation in society?

The Mayor emphasizes the importance of seeking the truth, especially in an age of information overload and misinformation. She encourages graduates to swim through waves of misinformation and tell the truth, building trust and paving the way for effective policy solutions.

Q: What advice does the Mayor give to graduates about finding their true path?

The Mayor advises graduates to take the time to get settled in their chosen paths, create spaces where they can be their authentic selves, and build the necessary support systems when they are lacking. She also encourages them to prioritize self-care and find joy in their actions.

Summary

In this speech, the Mayor of Boston reflects on her own journey and shares insights and advice with the Harvard class of 2022. She talks about the importance of embracing one's own truth, seeking lived experiences, and speaking the truth even when it's difficult. She encourages the graduates to be bold, creative, and willing to challenge the status quo in order to create positive change. The mayor also emphasizes the need to take care of oneself and build a foundation of trust in order to tackle the challenges society faces.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the speaker begin her speech?

The speaker begins by expressing gratitude for being invited to speak at the class day event and acknowledging her initial feelings of inadequacy and imposter syndrome.

Q: Why does the speaker mention her role as the Mayor of Boston?

The speaker mentions her role as the Mayor of Boston to highlight the historic significance of her election as the first woman and person of color to hold the position. She also draws a parallel between her journey and the graduates' potential for success.

Q: What does the speaker mention about her time at Harvard?

The speaker recalls her time at Harvard, including her love for clam chowder and her initial disappointment about being assigned to a different housing unit. She also mentions meeting her future husband at a Harvard-Yale game.

Q: What personal challenges did the speaker face during her graduation?

The speaker reveals that her mother began showing signs of mental illness before her graduation, and the speaker was worried about how her friends and their families would perceive her mother's behavior. It took months for her family to seek treatment and address the issue.

Q: What three things has the speaker learned about Veritas since leaving Harvard?

The speaker shares three lessons she has learned about Veritas (truth): the importance of taking care of oneself, seeking lived experiences, and speaking the truth when it's difficult.

Q: How does the speaker emphasize the need for trust and truth in society?

The speaker acknowledges the prevalence of misinformation and the lack of trust in society. She urges the graduates to seek the truth from those on the ground and to speak the truth, as it is the only way to build a foundation of trust.

Q: What historical examples does the speaker provide to illustrate the importance of embracing boldness and creativity?

The speaker mentions the opposition faced by the creation of the first subway system in Boston and how it is now an essential part of the city's infrastructure. She encourages the graduates to challenge the status quo and harness their leadership and knowledge to make a positive impact.

Q: What does the speaker advise the graduates to do as they move forward?

The speaker advises the graduates to take the time to get settled in their next phase of life and find a space where they can be true to themselves. She also encourages them to take care of themselves, seek the truth, and make choices that are impactful, joyful, and true.

Q: What does the speaker mean by "fear the tree"?

"Fear the tree" is a playful statement made by the speaker to evoke her love for trees and her commitment to planting more trees in Boston. It also serves as a reminder to be bold and fearless in pursuing positive change.

Q: What final message does the speaker convey to the class of 2022?

The speaker ends her speech by expressing her belief in the graduates' potential for success and urging them to choose to make a positive impact in whatever they do. She assures them that they have the support of those rooting for their success.

Takeaways

In her speech to the Harvard class of 2022, the Mayor of Boston emphasizes the importance of embracing one's own truth, seeking lived experiences, and speaking the truth even when it's difficult. She encourages the graduates to be bold and creative in challenging the status quo and to prioritize their own well-being. The speaker emphasizes the need for trust and truth in society and urges the graduates to make choices that are impactful, joyful, and true. The speech serves as a reminder to the graduates that they have the power to create positive change and that they have the support of those rooting for their success.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Mayor reflects on her own journey from Harvard student to the first woman of color to be elected as Boston's mayor, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's own truth and authenticity.

• She discusses the challenges her family faced with her mother's mental illness, which led her to become a caregiver, start a business, and pursue a career in politics advocating for change in systems that don't serve everyone.

• The Mayor urges the graduating class to prioritize self-care, seek real experiences, speak the truth even when it's difficult, and use their leadership skills to create positive change in their communities.