Jill Abramson gave a commencement speech at Wake Forest University on Monday in which she used her firing at The New York Times to offer a message of solidarity and resilience.

Jill Abramson's Wake Forest Commencement Speech

Abramson, the first woman to hold the title of executive editor of the Times, was rather unceremoniously fired earlier this month. Since then, she has remained virtually silent, allowing the media to weigh in on why the esteemed paper fired her. Many came to the conclusion that it likely had to do with pay, as it was known Abramson was paid less than her male coworkers.

Though Abramson didn’t address the reasoning for her firing from the paper, she did admit that it was painful. “Sure, losing a job you love hurts,” she candidly stated to the Wake Forest class of 2014, adding, “You know the sting of losing. When that happens, show what you are made of. I’m talking to anyone who has been dumped.’’

"What’s next for me?’’ Abramson continued. "I don’t know. So I’m in exactly the same boat as many of you.”

Prior to delivering the speech on Monday, Abramson said a Wake Forest student had asked her, “Are you getting that Times tattoo you have on your back removed?” Abramson, who called leading the NYT newsroom the “honor of my life,” replied, “Not a chance.”