PE 7/26 Billie Jean King - University of Massachusetts Commencement Speech

* a handful of: a small number of

ex> Only a handful of people were there.

* compliant: conforming to requirements; willing to agree or obey

ex> This device is compliant with all regulations.

* fast forward: shift attention to a more recent or future time

ex> If you fast forward to the late Renaissance, you’ll see the same forces at work.

* set the stage: to create or describe the situation

ex> His discovery set the stage for future research.

Note> If you set the stage for something, it means to prepare everything so that something can happen or will happen more easily. In a play, the workers must set the stage with background, furniture and other things for the play to proceed.

* at the height of: at the peak of; when the maximum is reached

ex> At the height of his career, he could run 50km in a day.

* equal opportunity: policies that do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, etc.

ex> Thanks to equal opportunity, she was able to get a job.

@ You can be proud to be at the University of Massachusetts.  

Be honored to ~ /be gratified to ~ /be appreciative to ~