Ruth Simmons holds a B.A. from Dillard University and an M.A. and doctorate from Harvard. In 2000, she became the first Black president of an Ivy League university when she assumed the top post at Brown and stayed in that position under 2012. This year, Dr. Simmons was chosen to give the commencement address to the students at Smith College where she was president from 1995-2001.

Here is her speech in full: