Just when you think Oprah couldn’t be any more fantastic, she is!
Not only has the media superstar given hundreds of girls an education through her school in South Africa, she ‘s now going to each of their graduation ceremonies in the U.S.
The Leadership Academy for girls was opened in 2007. It all came about after Oprah had a conversation with Nelson Mandela who put her in touch with South Africa’s education department.
Oprah has spent US$40 million so far in financing the school, which takes on close to 300 students from grades 8 to 12. Some are from impoverished backgrounds. Others are from families affected by HIV/AIDS who’ve been denied an education elsewhere.
This year, 10 of her “daughter girls” are graduating from American colleges and Oprah is keeping her promise to be there for each one.
Her first stop was at Agnes Scott College in Georgia on May 13, then a few days later at Elon University in North Carolina, Skidmore College in New York and Smith College in Massachusetts. And there’s still more to come.During the stops, Oprah has taken to the stage to give commencement speeches. Perhaps the most important line from her recent speech at Smith is this:
“What I’ve learned is when you create your work and your life based on an intention to serve with purpose, you will have a blessed life.”
During her graduation tour, Oprah has been awarded some honorary degrees too:
