A Fight for Democracy, a Historic Summit

This spring, Wellesley College took a stand in support of democracy and of renewing the civic purpose of higher education. In the process, we affirmed the power of women’s voices at a critical moment and organized an extraordinary summit centered on democratic ideals, progress, and equality.

The intergenerational and global group of civic innovators, public servants, and scholars who joined us for the April 6 summit helped us grapple with how to address the many threats to democracy we face. Rarely, if ever, has such a gathering of leaders—catalysts for change—shared the stage at Wellesley. In addition to several faculty, alumnae, including Hillary Rodham Clinton ’69, and a current student, we heard from two Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Leymah Gbowee and Maria Ressa; Marie Yovanovitch, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine; Susana Malcorra, former minister of foreign affairs for Argentina; Chelsea Miller, co-founder of Freedom March NYC; and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey.

Together, we explored ways to safeguard our democracy and prepare the next generation to be the civic leaders we need. We talked about rebuilding trust in each other and our institutions and seeing conflict as an opportunity to learn. And we called for hope in a world too often filled with violence, hate, and seemingly intractable polarization.

Gbowee, a Liberian peace activist, shared stories from Africa, where women and girls are working to create greater “cross-border, cross-national … advocacy and activism.”

Ressa, a Filipina journalist and founder of the news website Rappler, implored us all to be informed, engaged, and connected. In the face of pervasive disinformation, she said, we must learn more about our world—and share our knowledge: “If you do not act today, we are in danger of losing everything.”

Jocelyn Benson ’99, Michigan’s secretary of state, said her “‘North Star’ … has been amplifying voices, giving citizens power, and ensuring our democracy is truly inclusive and reflective of every voice.”

Bronwyn Lance ’90, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC), said she’s most passionate about serving her constituents by being “that bridge between Washington and the people.”

Michelle Au ’99, a physician and member of the Georgia House of Representatives—and this year’s inspiring commencement speaker—called on young people to get involved in politics at the state level, where action and organizing can have great impact. Urging students to reject cynicism, she said, “We need your help!”

Chantale Zuzi ’25, founder of Refugee Can Be, said she has great hope for her generation. If young people are given the “opportunity to learn and to be a part of something … that is going to even empower them to do more and more.”

The summit also launched the Hillary Rodham Clinton Center for Citizenship, Leadership, and Democracy at Wellesley College. With its focus on cultivating active citizenship in our students, the center honors Clinton’s steadfast commitment to the idea that educating women and preparing them for lives of service leads to progress for everyone. This is not only at the heart of the center; it is Wellesley’s radical founding idea.

“How can we talk about democracy, citizenship, leadership [without] centering the experiences and the hopes of women?” Clinton asked the summit audience. “We need more women at every table where any decision is being made.”

There is surely more to be done, but the summit and the launch of the HRC Center show that Wellesley is meeting the moment as we always have—by prioritizing knowledge and learning, and by lifting up the voices of global experts. With democracy at a crossroads, we will continue to help the next generation of civic leaders find their agency, their purpose, and their promise.