Wellesley College inaugurates 14th president

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By Katrina Margolis
Hometown Weekly Reporter

After a slew of influential and impressive speakers in addition to a myriad of festivities, President Paula Johnson took the podium. Before she could begin speaking, a member of the crowd shouted, “We love you, Paula Johnson!”
Without missing a beat, Johnson exclaimed, “I love you, too!”

However, before the Brooklyn native stood before a roaring crowd of students, faculty, community members and over 1,000 alumnae, Doctor Johnson was introduced by some of the most impressive women in the Commonwealth today.

Senator Elizabeth Warren was the first of these women to introduce Wellesley’s 14th president. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with Doctor Johnson, and I’ve come to know her as a woman of great vision who pursues excellence with sharp intelligence and unwavering determination,” she said. She continued to speak about the state of the United States, and the ways in which “our country has made significant progress when it comes to breaking down barriers to opportunities.”

She then continued on, speaking about the difficulties that still plague the country, including racism, sexism, police brutality, and an unjust economic system. Throughout these statements, a flurry of snaps arose throughout the crowd, showing solidarity and agreement with the Senator’s words.

She finished with a message of hope, stating that “Wellesley is an institution with a proud tradition of educating and empowering women to be exactly the kinds of people we need in our workforce.”

Following Senator Warren was the current President of Harvard University, Drew Faust. She spoke in depth about Johnson’s career at the forefront of the renaissance of women’s health. Johnson showed us that “treating people equally means paying close attention to their differences.”

Kathleen McCarthy, the President of Smith College, spoke next. Although mentioned by many, McCarthy got the biggest laugh regarding the most prominent Wellesley alumna today. “I really thought we had you beat when fictional alumnae Selena Myer from the show Veep was appointed president this season. But then it was brought to my attention you have a very real alumna who said something about breaking that highest, hardest glass ceiling.”

Hillary Clinton’s accomplishments were a theme throughout Johnson’s inauguration, as was the empowerment and education of women. After the official inauguration ceremony, consisting of the passing of the college’s seal, charter, and three keys, Johnson took the stage.

“I was drawn to Wellesley by many things: its extraordinary past, its hopefully future, its position at the apex of liberal arts education. By the breadth and depth of its distinguished faculty, by the readiness and relevance of its student body. But the most compelling draw was my conviction that the surest way to change our fast moving and complex world is through empowering women.”

Johnson’s passion could be felt throughout her speech, and her depth of emotion showed as she teared up thanking her father, husband, and two children. Being president of Wellesley College is just the next step in her impressive career. Before accepting this position, Johnson was the first woman and first African-American to be Chief of Residence at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Her speech ended on a note touched on by many. However, this sentiment was best articulated by Johnson, a mandate rather than an opinion: “There is no better place to accelerate and maximize the full potential of women than Wellesley College.”