Treating others with inherent dignity is vital to collaboration and problem-solving, author Rosalind Wiseman ’91 told the Class of 2025 at Occidental College’s 143rd Commencement ceremony on May 18.
Wiseman, author of the book Queen Bees and Wannabes, on which the Mean Girls movie and musical franchise is based, delivered the Commencement address to graduates, family members, and friends celebrating at the Remsen Bird Hillside Theater.
Treating others with dignity “creates the space for people to be challenged without feeling diminished, to take responsibility without feeling humiliated, and to admit mistakes without losing their sense of self,” she said. “This is . . . a must-have for our community, our villages, your neighborhoods, your hometown, your school, our cities, and, of course, our country.”
Wiseman also encouraged the Class of 2025 to “be easy on people and hard on ideas” and to take time to listen during challenging conversations.
“Listening is being prepared to be changed by what you hear,” she continued. “That does not mean you have to agree. When I went to school here, I was able to disagree with people who fundamentally had a different viewpoint than me. And I learned tremendously from them. And I took that wisdom for the rest of my life.”
President Tom Stritikus presented Wiseman with an honorary doctorate, one of two presented at the ceremony. Peter Roos ’64, a prominent civil rights attorney, also received an honorary degree.
Listen to her full speech (begins at 49:50):
