One of the most popular shows on television right now is Madam Secretary. The show’s popularity is due in no small part because the storyline showcases a woman in an important decision making position in our government. Something that seems to be lacking in our current administration. I thought we might like to have a refresher on the original Madam Secretary Madeleine Albright.
Marie Jana Korbelová was born on May 15th in the Smíchov district of Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Adolf Hitler forced the family into exile because of their political beliefs and Madeleine and her family spent the war years in Britain. They first lived on Kensington Park Road in Notting Hill, London, where they endured the worst of the Blitz. Madeleine remembers hiding under a large metal table, to protect the family from the recurring threat of Nazi air raids.
After the war, her family moved back to Czechoslovakia but in 1948 they had to flee their homeland once again because of the Communist takeover of the Czech Government.
Madeleine graduated from Wesley College and began her career assisting in two presidential campaigns. She then became a National Security Advisor under President Jimmy Carter.
Madeleine Albright went on to become the first woman to serve as the U.S. Secretary of State. She served as the 64th United States Secretary of State and the 20th United States Ambassador to the United Nations. She accomplished while simultaneously being a wife and a mother to three children.
Since retirement Madeleine has stayed active in shaping world history. In 2007, she was the chairperson at the Women’s Ministerial Initiative organized by the Council of Women World Leaders. The following year, she supported Hillary Clinton in the Presidential campaign.
Madeleine is widely quoted as saying: “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT YOU ROCK!
I invite you to share a link to your story of an inspiring woman. I will try to share your post over the weekend.
A place in hell for those women…such a timely, appropriate quote today. She was such a powerful presence in government, so admirable.
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Again, you’ve educated me on a woman I should have known more about, but didn’t. What a life she has lived – and what a job as Secretary of State. How I wish she still was…. Yes, I enjoy the TV show Madame Secretary, which features a clear-headed intelligent woman who’s not afraid to use her instincts also.
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Reblogged this on All About Writing and more.
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Madeleine Albright is one of my heroes! What she did as Secretary of State helped stop a repeat of Bosnia from happening in Kosovo – and the list goes on. I have stacks of her books & admire her & am grateful for the gift of her life. She has inspired me (& many others) to do all we can for others (especially women.) Blessings Bernadette! ✨🌷✨
p.s. Madame Secretary is a great show – it’s one of the few I record every week. 📺
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I love Ms. Albright…and the show! And I’m grateful for her stand, support, and leadership in promoting women.
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Awesome share, Bernadette. I really enjoyed learning more about our First Madam Secretary and sharing the post! 🙂
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As a Brit, I am often in ignorance of many of your American featured feminists, but Madeleine Albright is someone for whom I have great admiration and respect and wish she was still active in government. I didn’t know, though, that she lived in England during the War.
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Madeleine Albright is amazing and has raised the bar for women in politics. I have great respect for her.
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I haven’t watched the TV show, but Madeleine Albright is certainly an amazing woman!
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I have always been in awe of strong stateswomen, including Madelaine Albright. In Canada, we have had Adrianne Clarkson, Jeanne Sauve and Michaëlle Jean as Governor Generals, all impressive women.
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What a powerful woman! I had no idea about her history and life, this is remarkable! Her quote really makes me thing, it is so frustrating when women do not help women!
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I agree, she rocks! Her quote made its way around the world, and resonated with women everywhere. Her face says it all—fearless!
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