Madeleine Albright

Madeleine Albright (Feminist.com (Feminist.com))

"I was taught to strive not because there were any guarantees of success but because the act of striving is in itself the only way to keep faith with life" (Albright). To be a hero, one must be able to persevere through struggles and challenges in their professional and personal life while continually proving one's self to be worthy of the title by doing everything in their power to help others whenever a situation may arise. Heroes are put through many trials, and will encounter situations that will test and prove their willingness to make sacrifices in their everyday life. To be labeled a hero, one must be able to prove oneself and do what is innately right; Madeleine Albright is an exemplary model of this notion.

Throughout her life (inside and outside of her professional work), Madeleine Albright continually proved herself to be a hero. Albright was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia on May 15, 1937. She was raised by her father, Josef Korbel, and mother, Anna Spiegelova. Albright is best known for her work for the United States government and work as a Secretary of State in 1996. During her career, she had a few personal downfalls in her life, but that did not affect her job performance. A hero is someone who possesses the ability to overcome challenges, and Madeleine Albright did exactly that. Due to Madeleine Albright's ability to persevere despite challenge, strong leadership skills, and her deeply-rooted morals, she inspired and changed the lives of many for the better.

Bill Clinton and Madeleine Albright (Zimbio (Zimbio))

During her time as a politician, Madeleine Albright demonstrated strong leadership skills and inspired women of all ages. Albright created a path for women to follow in her footsteps by shattering the "glass ceiling"; she became the first woman secretary of state for the United States and was the highest ranking female in the U.S. government. "...Madeleine Albright is a specialist in international affairs and the first woman to serve as secretary of state of the United States"(Madeleine Albright Contemporary Heroes 1). Albright led by example and always attempted to do her best. Madeleine stood up for what she believed to be right and stuck with her morals even when tested. "Secretary Albright formerly was the President of the Center for National Policy. The Center is a non-profit research organization formed in 1981 by representatives from government, industry, labor and education. Its mandate is to promote the study and discussion of domestic and international issues."(U.S. Department of State 3). A leader is one who is aware of not only one's self or community, but also the world. Albright was extremely conscious and familiar with global issues. Through her platform, she worked for the benefit of the public and stressed the importance of both, national awareness and international awareness. She believed that promoting the education of global issues to the public would lead to a better educated society.

Bill Clinton and Madeleine Albright (Zimbio (Zimbio))

In her ascent to become Secretary of State, Albright had to overcome many challenges to get to where she is today. Aspects of Albright's personal life collapsed, but she persevered and did not let her affect her work. "Albright's personal life was dealt a devastating blow in 1982 when her husband left her for another woman. The split--which she says took her completely by surprise--prompted her to reevaluate the direction of her life."(Madeleine Albright Contemporary Heroes 10). She endured these rough patches by placing even more effort into her work. While going through her divorce, she endeavored through her heartache and furthered her dedication to her work. "Having been divorced, she did all this while over the years raising three daughters by herself, and still found the time to be a board member on numerous institutes, national commissions, and civic organizations ranging from the Atlantic Institute, the Boards of Trustees of Wellesley College and of Williams College, and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs to the Black Student Fund and the Washington Urban League." (Madeleine Korbel 6). Despite her heartache and added workload, Madeleine Albright still managed to raise her children, excel at work, and little by little, change the world. Ultimately, Albright triumphed and overcame her challenges.

As a politician, she stuck to her morals and always strived to be fair and just. She never strayed from her beliefs and always did whatever she could to improve the world. In the face of resistance, Albright continued her attempts to create peace throughout opposing foreign countries. "From then on, she and assistant Dennis Ross worked on reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process." (Madeleine K. 2). Ingrained in Albright from her youth, she always valued democracy and believed in equal rights for all. "As a refugee from totalitarianism and a specialist in Eastern European and Soviet affairs, Albright has always had a particular interest in how the United States has promoted democracy around the world." (Madeleine K. 13). Through her plethora of political projects, Albright aspires to achieve fair treatment for everyone in the world. Democracy equal rights for all is something she has always wanted to achieve throughout her entire work as a politician.

Through Madeleine's fairness, strong leadership, and perseverance, she was able to inspire scores of people through her work in the United States government including myself. Madeleine Albright was the first female Secretary of State, and throughout her time in office, she worked rigorously to spread what she believed was right. For example, Albright contributed greatly to the feminist movement and is considered as an iconic feminist; a feminist supports women in whatever they choose to do which is something I believe is truly important because more times than not women are out-shined in their line of work because of per-perceived opinions and stereotypes about females. In addition, Albright also wanted to achieve peace in foreign countries, she never wanted conflict. This is inspirational to me because I believe in nonviolence, and that conflict is never an option and I will look tirelessly for another resolution through peace. Throughout her entire life Madeleine Albright was a fair and just leader who stuck to what she believed in and supported women throughout challenges.

Works Cited "Madeleine Albright." Contemporary Heroes and Heroines, vol. 3, Gale, 1998. Biography in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1607000008/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=41722ee2. Accessed 4 May 2017. "Madeleine Albright." Contemporary Authors Online, Gale, 2013. Biography in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/H1000123818/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=04c7e079. Accessed 4 May 2017. "Madeleine K. Albright." Dictionary of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. Biography in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K3434400059/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=05f51959. Accessed 4 May 2017. "Madeleine Korbel Albright." Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. Biography in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1631000110/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=f64233f8. Accessed 5 May 2017. U.S. Department of State. "U.S. Secretary of State." U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, Jan. 2001, secretary.state.gov/www/albright/albright.html. Accessed 5 May 2017. Albright, Madeleine Korbel. Madam Secretary. New York, New York, HarperCollins, 2003.