WC Desk:
In her keynote address at the commencement speech in Tulane University in May this year, Dame Hellen Mirren touched on feminism, politics and Internet trolls and suggested 5 golden rules to the audience, and rule no. 1 was “Don’t need to rush to get married”
She also emphasized on the importance of feminism, and told the graduating class one of her rules for life: “no matter what sex you are, or race, be a feminist.”
“I didn’t define myself as a feminist until quite recently,” Mirren explained. “But I had always lived like a feminist and believed in the obvious: that women were as capable and as energetic and as inspiring as men.”
“However, I have come to understand that feminism is not an abstract idea but a necessity if we… are to move us forward and not backward into ignorance and fearful jealousy. So now, I am a declared feminist and I would encourage you to be the same.”
Mirren argued the benefit of feminism extended well beyond the western world.
“In every country and culture that I have visited, from Sweden to Uganda, from Singapore to Mali, it is clear that when women are given respect, and the ability and freedom to pursue their personal dreams and ambitions, life improves for everyone,” she said.
Listen to her full speech:
Reference:
- http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/helen-mirren-explains-why-she-changed-her-mind-about-feminism-in-graduation-speech-20170522-gwas8j.html
- http://hellogiggles.com/helen-mirrens-graduation-speech/