Cicely Tyson Praises President Obama During Howard University Commencement Speech

While President Obama’s keynote address to the graduates at Howard University’s 2016 Commencement garnered the most attention, one overlooked highlight of the ceremony was the acceptance speech given by actress and activist Cicely Tyson.

The 91 year-old working actress was being awarded a Doctor of Humanities degree and used the moment to discuss how proud she was of President Obama.

In a touching, heartfelt moment, Tyson shared how she went against her mother’s wishes to become an actress. This lead to a to a two-year rift between her and her mother, who considered movies sinful and had always forbidden her children to see them.

Tyson said that if her mother, who died in 1974, had been alive today she would gloat about receiving an doctorate on the same stage as America’s first black president.

“Here I am mom, at one of the greatest colleges in the world,” she said. “And guess who is my commencement speaker? President Obama. Can’t beat that. Can’t beat that. I guess you’ll tell me you’re proud now.”

Tyson, who has also received honorary doctorates from Atlanta University, Loyola University and Lincoln University, said her knees “went to water” when she found out President Obama would be giving the commencement address.

She spent most of her acceptance speech praising President Obama and championing his legacy.

“On January 1, 2009 President Obama walked in the White House, bringing character, integrity and resilience,” she said. “On January 1, 2017, he will walk out of the presidential house, leaving a legacy of character, integrity and resilience.”

Watch Human Nature videos of Cicely Tyson’s acceptance speech at Howard University’s commencement ceremony below.