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The Honorable Madeleine Korbel Albright, the first female Secretary of State of the U.S., is known nationally and internationally as one of America's most accomplished women in recent history. From an early life marked by flight from political oppression to one that represents the achievement of personal and professional ideals, Dr. Albright is an example of what one person can achieve in an environment that encourages success. Currently, Dr. Albright is a principal of The Albright Group LLC, a global strategy firm. She is instrumental in developing relationships and securing agreements between The Albright Group's clients and key stakeholders throughout the world. Her experience in global affairs and her extensive diplomatic skills help businesses and nongovernmental organizations build strategic partnerships, address political and regulatory risks, and manage crises. Born in Czechoslovakia during the tumultuous period before World War II, Dr. Albright and her family fled their country to escape the terror of Nazism and then the tyranny of Communism for freedom in the United States. After receiving advanced degrees in international relations Columbia University (M.A., Ph.D.) and a certificate from the Russian Institute, Dr. Albright applied her knowledge of international affairs as Chief Legislative Assistant to the late Senator Edmund Muskie, staff member of the National Security Council, fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, research professor of international affairs and director of Women in Foreign Service program at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, and president of the Center for National Policy. She served as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations (1993-1997) and received the Senate's unanimous confirmation as the 64th Secretary of State (1997-2001), the first woman in our nation's history to be appointed to that high position in our government. Dr. Albright is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations board of directors, the Mortara Distinguished Professor of Diplomacy at the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service, and consults with several other foundations and international study groups. Dr. Albright will address the convention's Opening General Session |