The internationally acclaimed Nigerian novelist was awarded an honorary doctorate by Johns Hopkins University on Wednesday, but the day before, in a ceremony that flew under the radar, she was also awarded the 2016 Barnard Medal of Distinction from Barnard College.
Barnard is a private women’s liberal arts college in the United States, affiliated with Columbia University. The Barnard Medal of Distinction is the college’s highest honour, serving a similar purpose to an honorary degree. Previous recipients include Toni Morrison, Meryl Streep, Hillary Clinton, Billie Jean King, Joan Didion and Barack Obama. In the medal citation, the college said of Adichie:
“You spark the conversation, upend the status quo, and open our hearts and minds to the world. We honour your work, your humour, your respect for history, and your vision for the future.”
“In your footsteps, we will all be feminists, unlearning what we have been taught to believe in order to dream for ourselves. Steering clear of the single story in favour of an ever more kaleidoscopic view. Staying true to who we are, messy though that may be.”
In a video filmed at the ceremony, Adichie gives some advice to the students receiving their degrees:
“Eat real food, be kind to yourself, and read books.”
She continues:
I think it’s important for young women to remember that they are much stronger than the world tells them that they are.
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