May 18, 2010 at 4:20 pm

Meryl Streep: Barnard College's Commencement Speaker!

Meryl Streep addresses graduates at Barnard College’s commencement exercises on Monday (May 17) in New York City.

The 60-year-old actress was awarded the Barnard Medal of Distinction, the college’s highest honor. Here are some tidbits from her speech (via Vancouver Observer):

“Barnard women have advantage and need to look forward to speeding progress in areas of suffering. There is only change, resistance to it, then more change.”

“Awards have little bearing on my own personal well being and happiness.
Being a celebrity has taught me to hide; being an actor has helped me to open my soul. Being here has helped me dig deep to find something to offer you. And you don’t have to do anything except to make your parents proud. And you already have…”

“My success has been predicated on pulling things over on people.”

“Pretending is imagined possibility, an important life skill. Strategically, sympathetically.”

Click inside to watch Meryl‘s entire speech!

15+ pictures inside of Meryl Streep at Barnard College’s graduation…

Meryl Streep: Barnard College Commencement, Part I