“It’s been a long and difficult journey,” she said, “but I’m proud to say we’ve been bringing compassion and values back to the government.”

Answering questions from the audience after her speech, Calderón acknowledged her decision not to run for re-election, saying she never saw herself as a politician. But she added that she hoped to continue public service in new ways.

Before her speech, S. Allen Counter, director of the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, presented Calderón with an award from the foundation honoring her humanitarian achievements and constant quest to help those in need.

Calderón has a well-established political history in Puerto Rico. She was the first female chief of staff for the governor and was appointed secretary of state two years after that.

In 1995, Calderón was elected mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico’s largest city, and her name has been prominent in the U.S. due to her strong efforts to stop the Navy’s bombing of Vieques, a Puerto Rican Island.

Calderón’s visit to Harvard was highlighted by a luncheon in her honor in the Leverett House dining hall, which preceded her speech at the forum.

Also present at the speech were several Puerto Rican officials and friends who supported the governor throughout her election, including the president of the University of Puerto Rico.