Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: 2015 Wellesley College Commencement Speaker

Award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie gave the Commencement Address at Wellesley College's 137th Commencement on Friday, May 29, 2015. Text of this speech is available at bit.ly/1GJWLmY.
For video of all the 2015 Commencement speeches, see • Wellesley College Comm... .

[@msdeesibs284]

I love her calmness, she speaks with air of authority, she is well poised, she takes her time and she has presence.

[@karengacheri9716]

Have enjoyed reading this comment

[@stephanoedward5763]

Gender is natural. We are born with our gender. We don't choose.

[@tiborfranek6402]

"our time on earth is short..please don't waste your time on Earth"...she can sum up her wisdom into practical quotes incredibly...she's gorgeous

[@favourmarcus460]

Ya. I love everything about her even her speech presentation pattern.

[@Toby57548]

Is it even possible to love this woman more? My goodness.

[@LOUDsigh]

Toby57548 who is she?

[@nidahmutheu4309]

Love this lady. a role model.she makes me proud to be African even though im not Nigerian.and yes.......Africa has more than one country in it.

[@yassinshaban9596]

Count me in

[@demian6698]

africa isn't a country?!?!

[@graceukah2731]

I love her for her simplicity, demeanor , diction , eloquence etc. she is my role model. I love you Chi babe.✌️💋

[@nmg1909]

@@demian6698 Did he/she say Africa is a country? Kinda a surprise reading your statement. Africa has more than one country- 54 countries!

[@dr.viviagreen6896]

Very intelligent

[@NurseVoke]

I’m gonna strive to be like this woman. She’s such a LEGEND.

[@haslimtossy9419]

all the best and i wish you good luck

[@ReactwithRandy]

She is our national treasure and proud Nigerian.

[@ucheokoroafor8273]

+jiggar22 Igbo Treasure

[@stilloldno7619]

+Knicks Owner Eat shit. She will be the first to disassociate herself with your tribalistic poison!

[@Tobe580]

+Ehiejr Obor She's an Ibo woman and she is proud of it. And you'd have to be a fool to make that kind of generalization.

[@bumbaybaby001]

igbo, not ibo please.

[@ChukwubuDike]

Yes she is someone I am proud of but, a lot of what she says about gender equality and femininity would not sit down well with a lot of Nigerians both men and women alike.

[@Waafrikaonline]

I'm speechless. This Literary Giant does this to me every time I hear her speak. She's phenomenal and all things excellent. I'm blessed to live in times where African women like Chimamanda exist. Listening to her and her work is always a learning opportunity. Thank you for being you, Chimamanda and sharing that with us. I'm in awe of your greatness.

[@jahlov]

Stella WaAfrika lol JamThat Session na the same storyooooooo and massageoooo ;-)

[@adamdonovan5633]

Stella WaAfrika Thank you for your comments. Couldn't agree more. She is a World Treasure! She reminds me to have faith in human beings.

[@ivanvladimir7309]

if you need to change your grade then contact [e-mail]

[@bensonlibi2127]

Jah ka.

[@evansadongo4093]

Africa is full of literature, you'll never get bored listening to an African speaker. I'm proud of you Ngozi

[@wendymusonda6297]

I have a dream, that one day soon, I'll meet and dine with Chimamanda ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jummaijohn4153]

Wow, you are interesting to mingle with

[@Onyekaozuluginika]

Here in 2024 and i am thankful to love and discover Chimamanda

[@ezesimpsonosuagwu8481]

I am really proud of this sister. I wish my daughters' would grow to be like her. Excellent speech!!

[@franklawrence6775]

Please hope your children would grow up to be the best version of themselves ...you make the same mistake most African parents makes

[@emailellis2965]

Your prediction full of noises

[@ssebugwawojackson1720]

Support their dreams.. Listen at them , Understand them.. And it won't be far, they will become better than her.

[@nmg1909]

You need a hallmark to be better than.

[@jaydenstv3547]

It is ok to have role models, people we hope to be like or at least our baseline, I don't see anything wrong in what Mr Eze said.

[@EstherNeema]

"The only time you are allowed to waste your time is online shopping" I couldn't agree more. :)

[@user-oh9dx2hg7e]

I came to look at her speech because i have lesson about in my academic. Difference in reading it my own and listening to her words which is absolutely crisp and filled with confidence creates 180 degree diffrent.i love it❤

[@elvisebuka]

Chimamanda Adichie is always breaking grounds. A powerful feminist. Continue to soar high Ms Adichie. Nice speech there.

[@Okwash1]

Chimanda Ngozi and Lupita Nyong'o are the two African Ladies i admire most.

[@huangnaomi8656]

OMG same!!!!

[@snayemdubu2988]

And Danai Guirira

[@wendymusonda6297]

Stop talking like me Gibbs.. 😂 I soo love them both 😩😍😍

[@iconicdiva2592]

Huang Naomi h

[@nathanmalik1697]

And they're coming together to produce a limited series of Chimamanda's Americanah that would star Lupita Nyong'o.

[@lovingkindness1812]

What a beautiful woman inside and out. I could watch her all day long. She brings me to happy tears as I am filled with endless inspiration and optimism.

[@haslimtossy9419]

yea honestly

[@ikechukwuonwuka2295]

Every of her word is like reading a novel.Honestly she's a genius.

[@freedomofspeech-]

Excellent speech. I truly love this eloquent writer.

[@gigazogl7651]

Femi kayode speachs

[@lynndube6051]

I love her. Every word that comes out of her mouth is wisdom and is power!

[@gabrielmohammed9961]

Please I want to know you well

[@gabrielmohammed9961]

Here is my phone number [phone]. I want to be your friend. Let's chat on wasup ok

[@koffivigameligueze2141]

Truly you're right that's I do really appreciate her speechs

[@ayodeler39]

Let's hope she will agree to do audio books. Her voice comes alive when I read her works...

[@18andafter67]

Watching this in 2019, and I love it. Any one else, some likes?

[@samuelforbang802]

I can listen to her for eternity, she spits out sense in every utterance. What a great woman.

[@saliloveniall162]

Same here 😊

[@chigonumnyekwe9186]

This is a marvelous speech. Female minds are captivating and full of life ideology. Don't settle yourself by just looking good and sexy for guys, see yourself beyond that and make change like this great speaker and writer. One love Nigeria, One love Africa and and the world.

[@AsifKhan-ju4ld]

I want her to do audio books, even if it's just "Go the F**k to Sleep". Her voice is melodic and soothing.

[@mojo1308]

Asif Khan Vgbb bg gbbbgbggggbb bbbbbb g bb bbb b bbbb bag. Bob bbb. Go Bbb b b. B b bb. Bbb by b bb bb b bb b bb bag b H

[@nosiphiwontweni6584]

lol!

[@Roxy-33]

🤣🤣🤣

[@adamdonovan5633]

My god, could she BE ANY LOVELIER, ANY MORE CHARMING! This woman always reminds me what women have to bring to the world: grace, elegance, I N T E L L I G E N C E!!

[@newmandike4886]

That consistent smiling face is what I admire uncontrollably beside the wisdom imbedded in her speech. She's a gracious being.

[@musiimentasharrotte2241]

I love her articulation of words. She's a role model. I am proud to be African and more so a lady. So energizing.

[@azizigweth2921]

We need your voices more than ever to make change

[@ndoni99]

I am forever inspired by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Very few people understand what it means to have a woman born and raised in Africa (where the culture and people socially suppress women's rights to the point that for some it is normal to put men above women at all times) be the face of feminism and equal rights in our time.

[@creamcrackers279]

Ace Kondowe sorry not in all African cultures. Nigerian culture is NOT entirely African culture. Its just one of many African cultures. So stop putting us all together as if we are one ppl belonging to the same ethnic group.

[@sunkissed00004]

Ace Kondowe What in the over generalizing sweeping statement hell -___-. There are many intricacies to the treatment of women in Nigeria, talk less Africa the continent. I get that you are in support us, but please restrain yourself from such sweeping incorrect statements. I would have hoped that being a fan of Chimamanda works you would be less prone to such a single story. It is not as basic as men above women ALL the time. If it was that then the average Nigerian person would disagree. Most of our key sectors in leadership/governance are held by women i.e Petroleum, Finance, Aviation etc. Heck in the East, females had a higher literacy rate than the males (i.e more daughters sent to school). Look at Chimamanda, did her parents not send her to Yale? Her sisters are practicing doctors, right? The womens issue in Nigeria is one about living in the undercurrent of a patriarchal society. It is about Women expected to aspire to marriage and Men to become sole bread winners. It is about gender roles. Or the blame share of rape on both perpetrator and victim. There is a difference between THAT, and that off TOTAL subjugation. So please choose your words better. I'm tired of people in America asking me how I escaped, or if my mother is FREE. like REALLY!!

[@ndoni99]

sunkissed00004 Please reread my comment and note that I said "FOR SOME it is normal to put men above women at all times". The operative words "FOR SOME", I did not say "FOR ALL". No where in my comment did I mention Nigerian culture nor did I say my comment is a reflection of all African culture. I am African, born and raised, I say that not to say that I am more African than any other person of African descent but to say I have lived amongst Africans and travelled to several other countries and I am well aware of our different cultures and traditions. When I wrote the comment above, I was writing it from a deep appreciation of an African woman, Chimamanda, and the impact she has on women from all over the world. It is unfortunate that these days people feel the need to police other people's comments, interpret the comments into something that they are not, and then use that to demean the person who wrote the comment. Once again, I did NOT say all Africans put men above women all the time, I said "FOR SOME it is normal..." Let us not dwell on negative stuff, let us find what is common in all of us and use that to form a united front, let us be more supportive of each other.

[@sunkissed00004]

Ace Kondowe Alright. To be honest the "for some" gets lost in the statement. I think it was the general phrasing of the statement that threw me off i.e "where the culture and people SUPPRESS women's rights to the point..." , especially considering your audience. But anyway good on you. I apologize if my statement was a bit harsh. I support my Africans all the way :)

[@khattabhassan5522]

+Shaka Zulu this is part of the problem. "Your part of Africa" implies that we as Africans are disunited in our own continent by cultural regions.

[@ismailnurudeen]

One of the best storyteller in the world. A pure inspiration ♥

[@lynnwilson4989]

I feel like emerging from all my molds!

[@jajaking07]

I really don't care what Gender Ngozi is,i see her as an epitome of many stories forming wisdom,when i listen to her,i at that moment always forgot what gender she is.I listen to her as a person

[@yeezythabest]

“Now girls are often raised to see love only as giving. Women are praised for their love when that love is an act of giving. But to love is to give AND to take. Please love by giving and by taking. Give and be given. If you are only giving and not taking, you’ll know. You’ll know from that small and true voice inside you that we females are so often socialized to silence. Don't silence that voice. DARE to Take.” This part is so powerful i want to show it to all these women trapped in an abusive relationship... Don't silence that voice, Dare to take

[@kkcolanyonio]

+Joan OfArt i cried. i really did.. that part. omg!

[@victoriavintage9568]

Joan OfArt wonderful writng...👍

[@karmamelk9]

Yes, that message needs to be shared with everyone, but especially with those who have been beaten down so much that they've lost their voice and even their identity.

[@Dee-rd4dr]

Yes

[@ezeaugustine6698]

I love this woman... Reading her books makes me wonder how really intelligent humans could be

[@HappyThinker01]

"I urge you to try and create the world you want to live in". What an inspiring woman ! It's always a joy for me to hear her voice and her words full of meaning. Besides being a very intelligent woman, she is authentically gorgeous.

[@HappyThinker01]

***** Salut Amina. Comment vas-tu ? Il est vrai que mes activités sur Google+ se sont quelque peu raréfiées derniérement. Je suis ravi de constater l'intérêt que tu portes à mon compte et à mes posts. Sens-toi libre de me contacter par hangout sur Google+ si tu le souhaites ; il me fera un grand plaisir de pouvoir y échanger avec toi. Porte-toi bien.

[@HappyThinker01]

*****​ Salut, Amina. J'ai regardé l'épisode tardivement, du coup je me suis contenté de lire les posts déjà publiés et de réagir à certains parmi eux. Merci pour ta sympathie.

[@headlikeorange3600]

I am obsessed with her. I come from a similar context as hers and she inspires me so much. Her writing is beautiful and heady and evocative, and what she says holds so much meaning for me, and I'm sure for many thousands of people :)

[@GUCCI4U2NV]

listening to her is so refreshing

[@imanangue6867]

For me too 👌

[@mala9880]

Onika Miyoko 👍👍👍

[@mbapechristopherchristophe28]

Yes

[@Blissfultouchconcepts]

Ah! nwaoma osiso , can't stop admiring the wisdom you display in your speech and your writings. Well done big Sis. I learned today not to do because I am a woman, thanks for that.

[@Anonymousgirlie480]

This woman is phenomenal.

[@jayapalrajanrajan]

Iam from India Guys don't u know that her speech has become a lesson in our indian , Kerala syllabus Overall it's good speech

[@joybringers1333]

I can`t get enough of this amazing brilliant speech..Yiaaaaaniii alama ya duku duku.

[@donaldudechukwu5048]

Simply amazing keep it up

[@MaitreiJ]

Beyond words. Brilliant.

[@okoyechibuike9919]

I just love this woman. I watched this video till the ending smiling.

[@miryamquintana9340]

she is beautiful and great writer

[@pearls-for-cats2709]

Everything I have ever heard Chimamanda say has been utterly remarkable, she truly is a joy to listen to. Wonderful speech

[@alieucham3391]

"We can't bend the world to the shapes we want"...but we can try. Deeply profound!

[@shjakes]

So glad I was there to see my niece graduate...and to experience this amazing woman in person.

[@abdallahannour537]

This lady is beautiful in mind and in everything proud of her

[@ciarankelly4338]

Enjoyed very much listening to her speak!

[@greatgreat7717]

How creative and natural her words are...how she speaks like a god,she is versed that she turns fiction into reality, makes your environment come alive and bring to live things around you ... This lady represents the hidden truth of the intelligent Nigeria women. Nigeria is full of great potentials

[@gaalaadam1826]

I would always follow her stories boot by boot. Because there's much to derive from it. Big ups to you Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

[@chimaobianaekwe1103]

She's the most gifted and talented woman on earth

[@westernwest7407]

Guy calm down

[@markfrancis8217]

For every inspirational feeling we get listening to others such as this beautiful woman, I cannot help but marvel, in context, that these are words of wisdom coming from a creator that uses us as vessels in order to spread truth and wisdom. " Praises be to the creator".

[@keshavbx]

What a wonderful speech. Thank you for sharing this.

[@claribelcj1424]

This woman is amazing...admired her since the days of 'purple hibiscus'....and her voice...*sigh. She is always true to herself.

[@williamtmurwisi2988]

I am speechless after listening to this one video. The power of words comes very vivid and with meaning. I only hope someday I can meet this daughter if the Soil and challenge her, personally, to consider writing, just one piece, about Cancer. This is because her expression of issues is made with such undoubted or unquestioned effectiveness. Go Lady 👍Go.

[@erininclan8266]

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie offers some powerful (and entertaining) "big sister" wisdom about privilege, gender, achievement, feminism, and love. #girls #education #genderequality

[@femikuteyi6768]

I am proud of you being a Nigerian with a global citizenship.

[@omom8381]

I am a South African....I am so proud of this African woman...she is such an inspiration. I can't get tired of listening to her speeches😍✊

[@juvysimbajon2980]

Wow, she is indeed an epitome of empowerment! Her speech is indeed powerful. I love Chimamanda.

[@melusimkhize3109]

not only Nigerian will be happy, all the way from South Africa proud of you.

[@luckyiheduru1986]

the pride of igbo speaking Nigerian...

[@iverenigba5206]

Her choice of words!!! ❤

[@claudetteb5019]

This woman is dangerously dynamic. Eloquent speaker you are .

[@AdeolaNaomiAderemi]

She is always an amazing soiurce of inspiration and awakening!. Thank you big sis!

[@tarisotzendera6758]

How on earth can one person have so much confidence.

[@unknown-tp2cg]

2015, but still sounds hot and sweet........above all, 'truth'.

[@alansamuelmwamulombe1381]

She's one of the greatest story tellers of our time!

[@slimk8744]

I JUST WANNA LISTEN TO HER TALK DAILY,VERY INTELLIGENT WOMAN

[@nkiruamaku7700]

My sweet sister..always on point..Thanks for being an inspiration for our generation and generally for Africa especially Abba people..love you much

[@jimmypeter5667]

One of the great speeches i ever perceived delivered by a young and intellectual Lady of her kind! Well said African queen! Ngozi Adichie. Her eloquence, passion,smiley and charisma are enough describing intelligence in her. African ladies deserve be inspired.

[@alyshachannel579]

Certain things about Nigerianz make me think it holds Africans frag, I love you Nigerianz wish to once visit this country , above all I love ChimaAmanda

[@bernardparahbarje]

come visit someday!

[@Ezzyyie]

I'm so proud of Chimamanda, she is my all time rolemodel! such an inspirational woman, God bless your soul!!

[@hedysani7968]

you are really good in writing and telling stories! i wish i had the opportunity to be your student!

[@moniquejoxe]

I admire her too

[@9jaobserver241]

Your wit sparkels like a beauty in the crown👋🙌

[@cassieberyl3469]

I love her confident honesty and humility!

[@hectornegron9155]

What a fascinating lady. With each sentence she pronounces I wanna listen to another and another and another... I'm so freaking proud of my African roots. Regards from Puerto Rico.

[@nebaraymond2290]

am so short of words to give u names, you are so inspiring, and I wish to be like you. one of the African finest writer

[@cherotichpeter8566]

i admire her speeches.. congratulations to Nigeria.. even after the departure of chinua achebe,, chimamanda has kept the nigerian flag high

[@oluwatoyinomolayo9008]

She and Wole Soyinka (Nobel Laureate)

[@clarak.mallah4137]

She's beautiful...takes her time to speak and so elegant. Congratulations!

[@ohaleteemmanuel204]

Chimamanda you have a great destiny,I can't stop listening to your speech,I love you a million times❤❤❤❤👍👍👍

[@UdoADHD]

GAAHHHH I am also Nigerian but she just has a different brain. "Privilege blinds." I wish I could so succinctly create something that MAKES SENSE as she does...

[@virginiaedeh6907]

U don't have to wish u just have to start stirring up what you have and u could do better

[@assemienbinde797]

You can,be imaginative, read a lot - anything and you will the difference. Remember she said try to do something without fear. Try and try . People we perceive as intelligent read a lot, listen a lot to people and often times love to discuss unpopular topics with friends , co-workers etc..

[@isadore9793]

With your comment there is no way you can.

[@UdoADHD]

@@isadore9793 can what?

[@kunlefamakinwa1771]

Beautiful speech and full of elegance. I relish Chimamanda's work!

[@UDOKAJANE]

Ngozi is everything and more. love her so much ❤️

[@maxlaw79]

Where was I all this time without knowing this brilliant young lady? Am ashamed. Chimamanda

[@illmatices5840]

She's such an amazing person! Listening to her makes me feel so powerful! It's unbelievable!

[@theroyalkingdomofkinesthia5632]

that was amazing she was too articulate i loved every minute of it normally i skip ahead when i see videos this long but from the moment i started it i was so fascinated by her words that i felt no urge to do so this women is influential and thus making me want to give 100 likes for it guys i would recommend this to all friends and family for this voice needs to be heard :)

[@abdouahmedmbacke3034]

The Royal Kingdom of Kinesthia

[@kaakmanyomba6525]

Do you also dare to take

[@edmartinsl]

What an amazing speech! What a beautiful human being :)

[@nadiasengosengo160]

i just loveee her!!! Excellent speech as always :)

[@lisettekapinga7960]

A very good speech, I enjoy it, and also I love this nigerian whoman, she inspires me and maks me proud of being an African lady...

[@issiagasylla4539]

I'm always overwhelmed by listening to this Lady. i really love her speeches.

[@doudousonko1418]

I do more....she is super cool...I love her drafting lines so much

[@amaraemenari5469]

Her honesty is amazing. I am glad she said everything she said.

[@maggynowak3555]

Still listening to Chimamanda in 2019. Great

[@ahmypeace]

A queen!

[@NyangiFaith]

So inspiring and so well said. Love Chimamanda

[@karengacheri9716]

I like her english.....then she streams some jokes and keep her rapport...she's a genius in speech ❤️🥂

[@dawnwalker-elders7003]

Thank you.

[@simmiewilliams5970]

She’s my standard of beauty, grace and intellect.

[@pollyw164]

I love her... She is remarkable... Brilliant...

[@GobirTV]

I can't stop watching her speeches wherever I found it in here. What a voice? What a knowledge? God bless

[@snayemdubu2988]

I'm south African I'm so proud