On Tuesday, Rihanna was awarded the 2017 Harvard Humanitarian of the Year. The singer was given the award in a ceremony held by the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations. Riri was recognized not only for her musical impact but also the humanitarian work she has carried over the years through charities. The pop diva delivered an empowering speech, take a look.
2017 Harvard Humanitarian of the Year award.
In an hour and a half ceremony, authorities paid tribute to the “Love on the Brain” singer for her philanthropic work. Riri thanked the university for the honor and delivered a great speech.
Made it to Harvard.
Wearing a beautiful gray gown, Riri opened her speech in her characteristic humor saying “So – I finally made it to Harvard. Never thought I’d be able to say that in my life, but it feels good.”
The singer explained her early interests in helping others that started back in her childhood, she said “When I grow up and I get rich, I’m gonna save kids all over the world,“I just didn’t know I would be in a position to do that by the time I was a teenager.”
Touching message.
The diva then shared her views on how to help others, she stressed the simple fact of doing small actions that can change the world to a person. Rihanna’s speech was as beautiful as empowering:
“All you need to do is help one person, without expecting anything in return. To me, that is a humanitarian. People make it seem way too hard, man. What that little girl watching those commercials didn’t know is that you don’t have to be rich to be a humanitarian, you don’t have to be rich to help somebody. You don’t have to be famous, you don’t even have to be college educated … My grandma used to say, ‘If you have a dollar then you have plenty to share.”
Great work!
Harvard’s Humanitarian Award has been awarded to characters such as Malala Yousafzai, former UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon, and Lionel Richie. During the ceremony, the speakers acknowledged Rihanna’ss efforts to help the world, specifically her push to include black voices in feminism and also projects in Barbados to help with cancer treatment. Rihanna also has made scholarships fund from Caribbean countries.
Source: Billboard