The College Fix

Smith College, an all-female institution, has bestowed an honorary degree to Rachel Levine, a biological male who identifies as female.

The honor was awarded Sunday during the private school’s commencement ceremony, at which Levine also spoke to the graduates and their families.

Levine, a polarizing figure, is known for being the first openly transgender four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and was also the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health under President Joe Biden. Levine, whose original name was Richard, also previously served as Pennsylvania’s health secretary.

Levine has been widely criticized for stances supporting sweeping transgender transitioning treatments, even for young children, and Draconian policies during COVID-19.

In announcing the honorary degree, Smith described Levine on its website as an “accomplished physician, public health expert, and LGBTQ+ advocate.”

Tomorrow, @smithcollege—a historically women’s college—will award Richard “Rachel” Levine an honorary degree. Levine, who pretends to be a woman, will then speak at commencement.

We’re on the ground in Northampton, MA to show our support for women. Just chatted with some alum… pic.twitter.com/x3AoLITlF0

— WDI.USA (@WDI_USA) May 17, 2025

The decision drew a protest outside the school a day before the ceremony from representatives of Women’s Declaration International, a feminist organization that advocates for sex-based protections for women, WORLD reported.

Women’s rights leader Riley Gaines also posted about the controversy on X, stating: “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.”

The Daily Signal’s senior editor Tyler O’Neil also weighed in on the topic, arguing in an opinion piece that “in a piece of fresh Orwellian insanity, a women’s college granted an honorary degree to Rachel Levine, a man who has fathered children and who has weaponized his medical position as a doctor to attack fairness in women’s sports, privacy in women’s intimate settings, and a generation’s ability to have children.”

MORE: Smith College ditching pioneer mascot after students say it’s offensive

IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: A screenshot of Rachel Levine / CSPAN screenshot

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