Peggy Lewis ’77 Inspires Seniors At Cap and Gown Convocation
Peggy Lewis
Journalist and Clinton White House aide Peggy A. Lewis ’77 gave the keynote address at Cap and Gown Convocation on September 27 President Patricia McGuire presented her with Trinity’s Washington Woman of Genius Award for her leadership contributions to public service, which include working for President Bill Clinton, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, Children’s Defense Fund founder Marian Wright Edelman, and the Alliance for Retired Americans. She currently teaches broadcast journalism at Howard University.
Lewis challenged and inspired members of the senior class to apply their Trinity education to make a difference in the world: “Trinity prepares us for the world – giving us confidence and a strong foundation – but it also prepares you to serve. Don’t just make a dollar, make a difference. This is the beginning of your intellectual journey and I hope a commitment to life long learning; but the question is not what will you do? But who will you help?”
Before government service, Lewis was an award-winning journalist. She spent 13 years as a reporter and anchor for the ABC affiliate in Miami, WPLG-TV. She began her career in radio, at WTOP-AM; she was also a writer at WCBS-AM radio in New York and a television reporter at the CBS affiliate in Tampa, Florida. Lewis is currently a doctoral student majoring in history. Her research includes the impact of broadcasting on the Civil Rights movement. In 2007 she received a master’s in history from Howard University. She also served as the vice president of the Trinity Alumnae Association.
Read her complete remarks. Cap and Gown Weekend