Female Orator Mariam Jalloul | Harvard Commencement 2016

Summary

The speaker reflects on the story of Harvard’s Widener Library, built in memory of Harry Widener, who perished on the Titanic. The library grew underground rather than upward due to his mother's conditions, symbolizing that success isn’t always visible or traditional. The speaker draws a parallel between the unseen expansion of the library and the internal, often invisible growth of Harvard students. They emphasize that true success is personal, driven by passion, and may not be immediately apparent to the outside world. The message encourages embracing unconventional paths and valuing intrinsic fulfillment.

Takeaways

• 📚 The Widener Library at Harvard holds millions of books across five underground floors, expanding downwards due to the stipulation against altering its exterior.
• 🚢 Harry Elkins Widener, a book collector, tragically perished on the Titanic in 1912 after a book-collecting expedition in Europe.
• 💰 Widener Library was built in memory of Harry Widener after his mother donated $2 million, ensuring the building remains unchanged.
• ❄️ The underground expansion of the library is metaphorically called 'the tip of the iceberg,' symbolizing unseen growth.
• 🎓 At Harvard, there is often pressure to succeed visibly and externally—raising GPAs, securing internships, and achieving prestigious accomplishments.
• 🌱 Success is not always visible or measured by external achievements; internal growth and personal fulfillment also matter.
• 👥 Many students at Harvard found meaning in quiet, often unseen acts of kindness, such as mentoring, supporting survivors, and social activism.
• 🌍 Harvard students rallied for causes like Black Lives Matter and global peace, with efforts often not recognized as traditional success.
• 📖 The story of Harry Widener reminds us that pursuing personal passions, like his love for books, is a form of success, even if unseen.
• 🏛️ The true value of Widener Library lies not in its external grandeur but in the treasures of knowledge beneath, symbolizing that success can grow in any direction, not just upward.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library in the speech?

The Widener Library symbolizes success that is not always visible. Its expansion underground represents how growth and achievement can be unseen by the world, paralleling the speaker's message about the internal successes that may not be immediately apparent but are still significant.

Why was the Widener Library expanded downward instead of upward?

Harry Widener's mother, who donated the funds for the library, stipulated that no changes could be made to the exterior of the library. As a result, to accommodate the growing collection of books, the library was expanded underground.

How does the speaker relate Widener Library to personal success?

The speaker uses Widener Library as a metaphor for personal success, emphasizing that success does not always need to be visible or recognized by others. Just like the library's unseen underground floors, internal growth and achievements can be just as valuable.

What lesson does the speaker draw from Harry Widener’s life and untimely death?

The speaker reflects on how Harry Widener pursued what he loved—books—until his untimely death. This teaches that success is not always about external recognition but about following one's passion and values, which may not always be acknowledged by the world.

What is the metaphorical significance of Widener Library being referred to as 'the tip of the iceberg'?

The 'tip of the iceberg' metaphor illustrates how what is visible to the outside world (the library's surface and exterior) is only a small part of its true magnitude, just like how external achievements may only be a small reflection of a person’s true success and internal growth.

What message does the speaker convey about success at Harvard?

The speaker suggests that success at Harvard is often measured by visible achievements like GPAs, internships, and prestigious roles, but real success also lies in unseen personal growth, compassion, and contributions that do not appear on resumes.

How does the speaker challenge conventional ideas of success?

The speaker challenges the notion that success must always be outwardly visible and recognized by peers or society. They argue that internal growth, compassion, and personal fulfillment are equally important and meaningful forms of success.

What examples of 'unseen' successes does the speaker mention during the speech?

The speaker mentions several examples of unseen successes, such as volunteering with high school students, engaging in conversations about social issues like sexual assault, and participating in social movements like Black Lives Matter.

Why does the speaker emphasize that success is not always visible to the outside world?

The speaker emphasizes this to encourage the audience to value personal growth and internal achievements that may not receive external validation. They suggest that success is not just about what others see but about what truly matters to the individual.

How does the speaker envision the future success of Harvard graduates?

The speaker acknowledges that Harvard graduates are often expected to reach high levels of visible success, such as becoming Nobel laureates or heads of state. However, they stress that true success can also come from personal fulfillment and making the world a better place in less visible ways.