Seasoned Graduate’s Call for Caring

More than 50 years ago, when I quit college to marry the UCLA quarterback, a college degree didn’t have the importance of today’s diploma. But it still made a difference. I learned that when, after raising my three daughters, I went to work for a school district working with single parents living below the poverty level. I saw the importance of education for these children and their parents. And for myself. Without my degree, I couldn’t move up to head the center where I worked.

Times were tough in the ‘30s, like today--only worse. The job market may be pretty bleak right now, but everything has its cycle and good times are coming back. I think opportunities are still there. We don’t have to hold out for the big salaries and fringe benefits. If we take the job and make something of it, success, and the money, will come.

We should be moving our society away from the idea that money is the most important thing in our lives. Education is more important. Even though education costs have skyrocketed, we should continue our education. Learning is yours for the rest of your life.

But using our education involves more than just job success. As a fellow graduate, I urge you to look for ways we can help the homeless and the hungry. In our land of plenty every human being should have a roof over his or her head and food to eat. Let’s make it one of our goals. There are many organizations that need volunteers. It seems that we have drifted away from caring and are locked into a way of living where we don’t think about each other.

We must also care about the environment. Our ocean is there and we don’t respect it. We pour sewage, used oil and other toxic chemicals into the ocean. People are ruining our coastline.

The earth needs protection; 91% of our wetlands have disappeared. Today, we have an opportunity to save the second largest area of open space left on the Pacific Coast between San Francisco and San Diego. It is known as the Bolsa Chica. These precious 1,700 acres on Pacific Coast Highway and Warner Avenue in Huntington Beach are threatened with a massive housing development. Joining organizations like the Bolsa Chica Land Trust, whose purpose is to acquire, maintain, restore and preserve the entire Bolsa Chica for generations to come, is one way to get involved.

Nineteen ninety-three is a momentous year. I feel we will be tremendously successful in bringing about a new way of thinking. We’ve had the Me generation. Let’s be the We Care generation. Save the planet and all the species. We are all one and need each other in good condition.

For the young women, I want to urge you to value yourselves. You are half of the population. Know who you are and what you want in life and go for it. There will be no glass ceiling for you.

For the young men, realize the tremendous capacity for goodness, compassion and the love you have within you. Value the other half of the population as your equal, and the world will be a better place.

To both of you I say, you are lucky. We lucky ones have our degree. There are so many others without the education, advantages and opportunities that we have before us. We mustn’t forget them as we become part of the We Care generation.