Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald is Commencement Speaker at Westfield State College in Massachusetts
She also received an Honorary Doctorate from Westfield for her commitment to education and her lifelong leadership for social justice in Northern Ireland.
McDonald said in her remarks, “Education is the great equalizer and is the most powerful thing that we can give our children. In the young people of the world, there is immense capacity for good, limitless potential to make a real lasting difference.
“Young people fill me with hope – hope that we can end poverty and grow prosperity, that we can end inequality and expand inclusion, that we can consign war and conflict to the dustbin of history, that we can win the race against climate change."
She told the graduating students, “I believe that your generation can create a future of equality, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Your generation can change the world. I hope you choose to do just that.”
“Young people fill me with hope – hope that we can end poverty and grow prosperity, that we can end inequality and expand inclusion, that we can consign war and conflict to the dustbin of history, that we can win the race against climate change."
She told the graduating students, “I believe that your generation can create a future of equality, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Your generation can change the world. I hope you choose to do just that.”
McDonald also called for "an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Peace is the only way to ensure that the children of Gaza can share in this better future."
US Congressman Richard Neal, who represents western Massachusetts in the United States Congress, met McDonald in May 2022 when he led a Congressional trip to Ireland to discuss economic and strategic cooperation between Ireland and the United States.
McDonald is the Teachta Dala (member of parliament) for the Dublin Central constituency in Ireland’s capital and has been the leader of Sinn Fein since February 2018.
WSU President Linda Thompson said, “President McDonald’s practice of supporting and encouraging social justice, democracy, equity, fairness, and inclusion are not unlike the principles of Horace Mann, the founder of our institution. President McDonald has demonstrated her belief in the quality and importance of higher education and her devotion to lifelong learning and volunteer service will complement our commencement ceremony. We all look forward to her visit and her presentation to our campus community.”
McDonald received a bachelor’s degree in English from Trinity College Dublin, and later studied industrial relations at Dublin City University.
She received a master of arts degree in European integration studies from the University of Limerick in Ireland.
In addition, Dr. Catherine B. Shannon received the President's Medal of Achievement for "her years of dedicated service to the university through her teaching, research, writing, development of new and vital programs and an organizer for peace in Northern Ireland. Shannon retired from Westfield State College in 2000."
The following day, May 18, McDonald attended an event at the John Boyle O'Reilly Club in Springfield to meet with the local Irish-American community and local officials.
US Congressman Richard Neal, who represents western Massachusetts in the United States Congress, met McDonald in May 2022 when he led a Congressional trip to Ireland to discuss economic and strategic cooperation between Ireland and the United States.
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