Madam Secretary

“How do you stop globalization?” It was January 18, 2008, and the question was asked by an attendee at a book signing held at Borders book storin Tysons Corner, Virginia. Madeline Albright didn’t miss a beat as she answered, politely and diplomatically, “You don’t.”

I’ll never forget that day. Barbara and I stood on line for about 45 minutes before attendees were let into the store. She was signing copies of her latest book, Memo to the President Elect, How Can We Restore America’s Reputation and Leadership. We had both heard her speak at conferences in the past, but this was special. It was a more intimate setting, and she took questions from the audience. We were able to chat with her as she signed our books.

The next book signing was the following year, in 2009. Barbara and I hadn’t started writing together at that point, but as a testament to our friendship, she stood in line and was able to have two copies of Read My Pins signed. I was recovering from a surgery and unable to attend, but the book was a joy to read during the following week.

When the announcement of her death flashed across the news crawl on my phone, I immediately called Barbara to commiserate. “And during Women’s History Month,” she declared.

Madeleine Albright was indeed a powerhouse. Her presence filled the room. At five feet, she towered over everyone. She was the first female Secretary of State, appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1997, and she served until 2001. I remember reading a passage in her book, Madam Secretary about she and then first-lady Hillary Clinton enjoying a chat in her suite at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Ironically, Hillary Clinton followed in her footsteps during President Obama’s administration and went on to be the first woman nominated for President by a national party.

There is a poignancy to Secretary Albright’s passing on March 23, 2022. It is the third day of confirmation hearings for Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first black woman to be nominated to the Supreme Court. We are, indeed, living in a time of women making history. 

Albright came to the United Sates as an 11-year-old political refugee from Czechoslovakia and decades later was an ardent and effective advocate against mass atrocities in Eastern Europe while serving as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and then secretary of state. And now, war is raging in Eastern Europe.

Speaking of her books, I have several of them on my bookshelf—all signed and all treasured. However, on March 23, 2022, we lost that treasured woman.

What a way to end Women’s History Month.