Virtual Pomp: 14 Women Leaders Give Their Best 2020 Commencement Advice

Graduations are virtual this year, so Take The Lead offers inspiration to use IRL.

Millions of high school, college, graduate, law, dental and medical students missed out on the walks across the stages, the diploma hand off and the chance to hear an inspiring speaker sitting next to best friends and peers this year.

“Graduations are virtual this year, so @Takeleadwomen offers inspiration to use IRL. #ClassOf2020 #WomenLeaders”

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 56.6 million students attended elementary, middle and high school in the U.S. this year, with 19.9 million attending college. For the nearly 4 million who will receive a college degree this season, celebrations are private, on hold or in isolation.  

Harvard University graduates and Her Campus founders Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, Annie Wang and Windsor Hanger Western, took their own entrepreneurial innovative spark and created “I’m Still Graduating,” a virtual event featuring actresses, entertainers and more offering their commencement advice to watch and download.

“@Harvard graduates and @HerCampus founders @Stephkaplewis, @Annie_wang and @Windsorwestern, took their own #entrepreneurial innovative spark and created “I’m Still Graduating.” #VirtualGraduation”

But Take The Lead wants you to have a chance to absorb the best advice from virtual commencement speeches offered around the country. After searching for the most inspiring commencement advice from women leaders across the country, here are 14 of the best snippets of inspiration for graduates and anyone who wants the input—with or without the pomp and circumstance.

“For those receiving a college degree this season, celebrations are private, on hold or in isolation. @Takeleadwomen wants you to have a chance to absorb the best advice offered in #VirtualCommencement speeches.”

Kristen Bell, Actress: "You will remember the friendships you forged, the peaks of trust, the teachers who made an impact. You will remember each and every love, both lost and found. Nothing, not even the coronavirus, can take that away from you."

Read more in Take The Lead on inspiring commencement speeches

Simone Biles, Olympic champion: "As an athlete, there is nothing quite like the bus ride home after a win. You're exhausted and could probably use a shower. But bottom line, you're happy. Well, graduates, today is your bus ride home. Your victory lap. It is our chance to tell you that we know how hard you worked to bring home that diploma. I know you're missing what is supposed to be your medal ceremony, but that ceremony doesn't change a thing. You've already won.

““As an athlete, there is nothing quite like the bus ride home after a win...graduates, today is your bus ride home. Your victory lap”—@Simone_Biles. #Graduation #WomenLeaders”

Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State: “Good friends will get you through even the worst times, so stay in touch with them. Always send thank-you notes. Being polite is not the same as being politically correct.  So treat others as you want to be treated. Learn how to sew on a button. Check the source of everything you read or share. Vote in every single election, not just the presidential ones. Believe in science, including vaccinations.  Wash your hands.”

““Good friends will get you through even the worst times, so stay in touch with them...Vote in every single election, not just the presidential ones...Wash your hands.” —@HillaryClinton. #Classof2020 ”

Read more in Take The Lead on graduation advice

Selena Gomez, Singer: "It's okay to not know what to do with the rest of your life. It's a journey to find your direction or your passions, so don't be frustrated by the mistakes and setbacks that happen to all of us."

Chelsea Handler, Comedian, Author:  "Usually, rejection catapults us all into this ball of despair, and insecure thoughts, and this self-consciousness, and have I ever made any right decisions, and am I fake? We have to remember that when we go through those times in our lives, those are thoughts that are happening in our heads. These thoughts are only our thoughts. No one else defines you but you. Your perseverance and your tenacity is what people will remember. It's not that you will fall down because we know everyone falls down, and it is how you get back up, and that you continue to get back up."

““No one else defines you but you. Your perseverance and your tenacity is what people will remember”—@Chelseahandler. #Grad2020 #InspirationalWomen”

Eva Longoria, Actress, Entrepreneur: “So follow the path that feels right to you, while not being afraid to take a left turn once in a while. Be who you want to be and fight for what you believe in. When I think about all of you and the journeys that lie ahead for you, I challenge you to stay true to the bean taco and not conform to the Pop-Tart.”

Lisa Price, Founder, Carol’s Daughter: "One of the many things this unprecedented moment has shown us is that love, hope, leadership, and resolve are critical traits our future leaders will need. Those traits helped me build and sustain a company in the fickle beauty industry, so I'm honored to be able to share some of my lessons with these graduates live, from where I started my entrepreneurship journey." 

Megan Rapinoe, Olympian, Athlete: “I know first-hand the power of a movement led by and for the next generation. You are that next generation. Take the torch and leave your mark. Put your stake in the ground and build the future that you want and you believe in and fight like hell to do it.”

“@MPinoe, Olympian, Athlete: “I know first-hand the power of a movement led by and for the next #generation. You are that next generation. Take the torch and leave your mark.” #Grad2020”

Gina Rodriguez, Actress: "Despite what we are going through. Your achievements must be recognized. You are graduating. You all did it! You did it! You took control of your destiny. Having your education is creating endless opportunities. Do you know what I see through this camera? Future doctors, nurses, lawyers, and scientists. I see actors and dancers, directors, and businessmen and businesswoman. I see the future that will recreate our world. To be honest, I don't know what it is to achieve something so monumental in a pandemic. That really inspires me. You have shown what it is to face adversity. So I thank you."

Yara Shahidi, Actress: "The entire world is witnessing the incredible superpowers of our generation."

“@YaraShahidi, Actress: “The entire world is witnessing the incredible superpowers of our generation.” #Classof2020 #PowerfulWomen ”

Oprah Winfrey, Media Entrepreneur: “You have the power to stand for and fight for and vote for healthier conditions that will create a healthier society. This moment is your invitation to use your education to begin to heal our afflictions, to apply the best of what you’ve learned in your head and felt in your heart.”

Malala Yousafzai, Activist: “So, I ask you to remember them today as you go out and change the world. Don’t leave them behind. The class of 2020 won’t be defined by what we lost to this virus but by how we responded to it. The world is yours now and I can’t wait to see what you make of it.”

“Malala Yousafzai, Activist: “The #Classof2020 won’t be defined by what we lost to this virus but by how we responded to it. The world is yours now and I can’t wait to see what you make of it.” #Grad2020”

Zendaya, Actress: "Fortunately, being a senior is much more than your last year. It is every moment, from the day you were born, until now. The little ones, those who change life, all join to make you: the class of 2020. "

Get your chance to go back to school online with Take The Lead’s new virtual course, “9 Leadership Power Tools To Accelerate Your Career,” launching June 1 through Take The Lead. Register here.