Courage Is Contagious: Gloria Allred Charges AUWCL Graduates to Defend Democracy in Tumultuous Times
With cheers, reflections, and a charge to lead with courage, American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) conferred degrees on more than 430 graduates during its 2025 commencement. The Class of 2025 included 370 Juris Doctor recipients, 39 LLMs, 23 MLS graduates, and four SJD degree recipients.
Interim Dean Heather Hughes expressed gratitude to the AUWCL faculty for their dedication and offered a heartfelt tribute to the graduates as they prepare to enter the legal profession.
“You brought yourselves to us, and you let this phenomenal faculty forge you—and we thank you for that,” Hughes said. “Some of you will advance the rule of law loudly and in public as litigators and activists. Others will advance it quietly and in private, weaving the web of legally sound relations on which we all rely. Together, you will ensure the future of our law-based system of governance.”
Student speaker Angela Chen reflected on the transformation the graduates had undergone over the past three years.
“Law school has turned me from a problem-spotter into a problem-solver,” Chen said, describing how law shaped not only their intellect but their sense of purpose. “We didn’t wait until graduation to become advocates. Every single day I watched my classmates use what they learned inside the classroom to create ripple effects throughout our community.”
Chen urged her peers to savor the moment, acknowledge the support of loved ones, and celebrate their hard-earned accomplishment stating, “Today, Class of 2025, I have the privilege and honor of asking you to find the only verdict that’s consistent with our hard work, supported by our dedication, and demanded by justice: to find ourselves law school graduates.”
But it was civil rights attorney Gloria Allred, delivering the keynote address and receiving an honorary degree, who brought a fiery and urgent reminder of the stakes ahead.
“Being a lawyer is not an easy task—I know that from experience,” Allred said.
Nearly 50 years ago, Allred co-founded a law firm with two classmates, dedicating their practice to justice for women and minorities. Since then, she has led legal battles that have secured not only over $1 billion in compensation for her clients, but also critical civil rights protections through precedent-setting cases.
“In many cases, winning was an acknowledgment of the wrongs committed against them,” she said. “And it was also empowering for them to know they had fought for—and won—accountability.”
Still, Allred warned, today’s legal challenges extend far beyond individual courtrooms.
“There is a war on the rule of law. A war on women. On immigrants. On universities. On equal employment opportunity. On science. On truth. And yes, on democracy itself,” she declared. “What is happening in our country right now is not normal.”
Framing the current moment as a constitutional crisis, Allred called on graduates to take seriously their oath to support and defend the Constitution.
“Not upholding the Constitution,” she said, “is the greatest national security threat of all.”
She challenged the class to ask themselves if they were ready to be guardians of justice.
“These are extraordinary times—and extraordinary times call for extraordinary courage. We are counting on you to be the legal warriors who defend our democracy.”
Her voice thick with emotion, Allred added, “Yes, class of 2025, courage is contagious. You must resist, insist, persist—and elect those who will defend our Constitution and our democracy.”
Closing the ceremony, American University President Jonathan Alger reinforced the call to public service and civic responsibility.
“Our home in our nation’s capital makes us the right place to pursue that noble purpose,” he said. “You’ve developed an invaluable set of skills—and with those skills comes the responsibility to engage in civil discourse and defend democratic values.”
Alger highlighted AU’s Civic Life initiative, which promotes dialogue across differences and civic engagement as pillars of education and democracy.
“I’m proud to be part of a national movement urging graduates to be exemplars of civil discourse,” he said. “If AU graduates become known for this, we will change the world.”