Tony Award winning actress Phylicia Rashad, well known for her role as Clair Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” gave a speech, “Enjoying the Journey of Life,” Monday evening. Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity sponsored the event, held in Ingraham Hall.

Rashad emphasized the importance of finding the wonder in life, being true to oneself with family and friends.

“We blind ourselves to the wonder [in life],” Rashad said. She told stories of moving around as a child. Upset about her mother’s decision to move to Mexico City, Rashad said she planned to starve herself in rebellion.

“I was very dramatic, even as a child,” Rashad said. “She was going to be sorry when I died on the bus … that lasted until I got to San Antonio.”

Rashad’s anecdotes provoked laughter, but she also addressed issues including the demoralizing effects of conformity and the importance of black students asserting themselves within the university community.

“As long as you perceive yourself as small and insignificant, that will be your experience,” Rashad said.

At the end of a question-and-answer session, Rashad challenged the audience members to treat one another with respect.

“You want a community? Start with everyone in this room, right now,” Rashad said. For African-American students seeking a role model, Rashad said “you be the role model.”

Tiffany Tardy, a UW-Madison junior, called Rashad “an icon.”

“She’s been extremely motivational and inspirational,” Tardy said.

Rashad was the first black woman to win a Tony award for a dramatic leading role for the play “Raisin in the Sun,” and is a two-time Emmy Award winner.

Rashad, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, said she accepted the invitation to speak in part because her father was a member of APA.

“We wanted someone people knew, someone people could appreciate what she said,” Reggie Cribbs, fifth-year senior and treasurer of APA said. Cribbs also said he admired Rashad’s demeanor throughout her speech.

The speech is part of APA’s Alpha Week 2006, a celebration of the centennial founding of the fraternity, and the 60-year establishment of the Gamma Epsilon chapter.