The women who graduate from Smith College this spring will hear from the first female speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives at the school's commencement in May.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, will address the graduates during commencement exercises on May 17 at the college's Northampton campus, the school said. Smith said Pelosi's "long and distinguished career in public service has helped shape and define women’s leadership."
Pelosi will also be awarded an honorary degree from Smith College during the ceremony. Northampton educator Gwen Agna, climate change activist Christiana Figueres, advocate for immigrants Cristina Jiménez, pastor and educator Rev. Gloria Elaine White-Hammond, and author Hanya Yanagihara will also be conferred honorary degrees.
Smith's commencement will take place Sunday, May 17, at 10 a.m. in the Smith quadrangle. In its announcement of Pelosi's involvement, Smith said that this year's commencement ceremony will be open "only to graduates and their families."
