Global Media Leader, Philantropist
Agness Scott College 2017
In 2017, Agnes Scott College had the immense honor of hosting the iconic host and television producer, Oprah Winfrey. Renowned for her groundbreaking talk show and influential media empire, Oprah's visit was a momentous and inspirational experience for the college community. She shared the power of storytelling, her advocacy for education and women's empowerment, and her personal journey to success, reaffirming her status as a cultural and philanthropic force.
10 top life lessons by Oprah Winfrey
- Be True to Yourself: Your authenticity is your greatest asset. Embrace who you are and stay true to yourself even in the face of challenges.
- True Wealth is Beyond Finances: While financial success is commendable, true fulfillment comes from a life of substance and meaningful service.
- Service Brings Reward: The greatest reward comes from serving others. Living a life of substance involves contributing positively to the world around you.
- Constructive Engagement: Change the world through respectful conversations and a willingness to be changed in the process. Approach situations with an awareness of context and openness to diverse perspectives.
- Spiritual Practice is Essential: Develop a spiritual practice, whether through religion, music, dance, or personal reflection. Nurturing your spirit is crucial for personal growth and well-being.
- Compassion Requires Empathy: True compassion involves feeling with others, walking in their shoes, and allowing your heart to beat with theirs. It’s about recognizing yourself in others.
- Openness to Truth: Enter every situation with an open mind and a willingness to hear the truth from others. Embrace the spirit of constructive engagement by being receptive to different perspectives.
- Change is Reciprocal: As you work to change the world, be open to the idea that the process will also change you. Growth and transformation are a two-way street.
- Material Possessions Don’t Define Life: Accumulating material possessions, like a closet full of shoes, doesn’t fill up your life. True fulfillment comes from a life lived with purpose and substance.
- Feel and Connect: To truly connect with others, learn to feel with them. This involves not just understanding their experiences but allowing their emotions to resonate within you.
Best quotes of Oprah Winfrey‘s speech
"The biggest reward is not financial benefits; living a life of substance can fill up your life."You’re nothing if you’re not the truth."
Video of Oprah Winfrey‘s Commencement speech at Agness Scott College
You’re nothing if you are not the truth.
Commencement speech transcript
You’re nothing if you’re not the truth.
I’ve made a living, I’ve made a life – I’ve made a fortune, really – all good! – from being true to myself. If I can leave you with any message today: The biggest reward is not financial benefits, though it’s really good, you can get a lot of great shoes! Those of you who have a lot of shoes know having a closet full of shoes doesn’t fill up your life. Living a life of substance can. Substance through your service.
I want you to work in your own way to change the world in respectful conversations with others. I want you to enter every situation-aware of its context, open to hear the truth of others and most important, open to letting the process of changing the world change you. That is the spirit of constructive engagement.
You will get nowhere without a spiritual practice. That’s not necessarily religion. … Maybe it’s music, or dancing or just time for yourself to feed and nurture your own spirit.
I had to learn to feel with others, which is what it means to be compassionate. I feel with you. It means not only am I able to walk in your shoes, my heart beats with yours. I see myself in you.