Sarah Jessica Parker graduates at 61 with a total Carrie Bradshaw moment

While Sex and the City lore has placed Carrie Bradshaw as an alum of Brown University, her embodiment, Sarah Jessica Parker, never actually got her college degree. Until now!

The actress, 61, was officially bequeathed with an honorary doctorate in the Arts degree from the prestigious Northwestern University on Sunday, June 14.

What’s more, Sarah Jessica then delivered the commencement address at Northwestern’s graduation ceremony, decked out in her purple robe and matching purple satin shoes.

Yes, leave it to the style icon herself to give us a true “Carrie Bradshaw in 2026” fashion choice, opting for a Dôen white lace sheer fit & flare dress with intricate lingerie style lace detailing.

She paired the chic and summery dress with her standard black graduation cap traded out for a black beret, and a pair of satin purple pointed-toe pumps that perfectly matched her robes.

E. Patrick Johnson, the Dean of the School of Communication, introduced the actress as a “titan” of the industry. Sarah Jessica joked at first about her upbringing in Ohio, close to Chicago, and comparing it to her teenage years in New York City.

“For us, Chicago was always the big city,” she told the crowd of fellow graduates. “It was big architecture, big music, big arts, big presidents, big popes. Big shoulders, big food. And while I won’t concede on the great New York versus Chicago pizza debate, I will happily declare that Chicago hot dogs are simply the best.”

© Instagram

She especially touched on the idea of individuality, something she has embodied with all of her characters (especially Carrie). “What if you could maintain your individuality?” Sarah Jessica opined in her speech.

“That you could find a way to continue to be the individual you discovered and refined as you marched toward this day. That you could always remember, even as you get swept by currents of desire and ambition…”

The actress explained how she has always resisted someone trying to dull her approach, sharing her advice for the graduates to do the same but with a more tempered mind. “I have resisted, often to the chagrin of those who believe they had my best interest at heart.”

© Instagram

“Now, I’m not going to suggest that I was evolved enough at the time to see the error in not resisting, but there was a little voice that said, ‘Don’t be gracious. Listen, I appreciate the care, but there are times, Sarah Jessica, to keep your own counsel.’ As we say in acting, take the note, but do it your own way.”

The actress closed out her speech by sharing some more powerful words of encouragement for the class of 2026. “Who better to conquer a big challenge and to dream big than this group before me? Who better than you?” she said.

© Instagram

“The singular and plural. You to be bold, to be generous. To let curiosity be your guide. To believe in a what if world of love, justice and companion until it’s not a what if anymore. After all, graduates class of 2026. Look at what you’ve already done in your few years here on earth,” she concluded.