Smith College Honors Rachel Levine: A Controversial Choice
Smith College, a historically women’s institution located in Amherst, Massachusetts, recently made headlines by awarding an honorary degree to Rachel Levine, a transgender woman who served as the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health under President Biden.
It seems that for some institutions of higher learning, particularly those leaning left, virtue signaling has become the new gold standard. After all, even as the political climate heats up—thanks in no small part to the actions of Trump against various elite universities—some schools are doubling down on what they perceive as a progressive agenda.
The outcome of the 2024 elections could be interpreted as a call for moderation on contentious social issues, yet the left appears undeterred, continuing to push boundaries that many in the electorate may not support.
The College Fix reported:
Women’s College Bestows Honorary Degree to Trans Woman Rachel Levine
At a recent commencement ceremony, Smith College awarded an honorary degree to Rachel Levine, who, while biologically male, identifies as female. This event not only honored Levine but also featured her as a speaker, addressing graduates and their families.
Levine is recognized as the first openly transgender four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and has been a significant figure in health policy, previously serving as Pennsylvania’s health secretary. However, her tenure has not been without controversy, particularly regarding her support for extensive transgender treatment protocols, including those for minors, and her management of COVID-19 policies.
In promoting the honorary degree, Smith College’s website lauded Levine as an “accomplished physician, public health expert, and LGBTQ+ advocate.”
The decision to honor Levine sparked protests outside the college just a day before the ceremony, led by members of Women’s Declaration International, a feminist organization advocating for sex-based protections for women, according to WORLD.
Riley Gaines took to Twitter/X to express her thoughts on the matter:
Smith College, a private *women’s* college in Massachusetts, awarded Rachel (Richard) Levine an honorary degree today.
He then delivered the commencement address.
Ladies, congratulations — your graduation was led by the very thing feminism was allegedly fighting. pic.twitter.com/3LJyuNHDDV
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) May 18, 2025
This event raises questions about the priorities of certain feminist groups, suggesting that ideology might often overshadow the very principles they initially sought to uphold. For some, this may be seen as a bold act of ‘resistance’ against Trump-era policies, but for others, it highlights the contradictions that can arise within the feminist movement itself.
