Dr. Condoleezza Rice speaks to Tenacre students

Tenacre was honored to host former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice via Zoom for a conversation with Tenacre third, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders about government. Tenacre grandparent Greg Brown, a friend of Dr. Rice, moderated the discussion from Tenacre’s Wells Playhouse, where students sat. Dr. Rice explained that a democracy is a government for the people, by the people, and that it is a tremendous gift to be a citizen of the democracy of the United States. “Never take for granted the privilege of being a citizen in a democracy,” she told Tenacre students. Dr. Rice also spoke about her role as Secretary of State (2005-2009) and her background before taking questions from students. She concluded by advising Tenacre students to work hard, be honest, get to know people with different interests, and to find activities that bring them joy.

Dr. Rice served as the first female African-American secretary of state (2005-2009) and U.S. national security advisor (2001-2005). She served under presidents George H.W. Bush and Barack Obama. At the time of her appointment as Secretary of State, Dr. Rice was the highest-ranking woman in the history of the United States to be in the presidential line of succession.