More from Rihanna

You don't have to be rich to be a humanitarian. You don't have to be rich to help somebody. You don't gotta be famous. You don't even have to be college-educated.

R

Rihanna

Harvard University Humanitarian of the Year Award 2017, 2017

3:53

Video starts at 3:53 — the moment this quote was spoken

The Story Behind This Quote

Standing in one of the most elite academic institutions in the world, Rihanna — who never attended college — delivered this democratizing message about humanitarian work. The self-aware humor was electric: she paused after saying 'You don't even have to be college-educated,' then added with a laugh, 'I mean, I wish I was... especially today,' drawing huge cheers from the crowd. The moment worked because it was completely authentic. Rihanna wasn't performing humility; she was genuinely challenging the notion that helping others requires special credentials or resources. Her message was that humanitarianism begins with the simple decision to help one person, expecting nothing in return.

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