Official Statement

GMF Honors Madeleine Albright’s Contributions to Defending Democracy and the Transatlantic Relationship

The German Marshall Fund of the United States mourns the passing of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, America’s first female Secretary of State. We also celebrate her extraordinary accomplishments, first and foremost as an unapologetic voice for democracy.

Born in then-Czechoslovakia, Albright understood all too well the creeping shadow of authoritarianism which propelled her to play a pivotal role in shaping US policies that welcomed Central European nations into NATO, resolved conflict in the Western Balkans, and promoted human rights worldwide. As we celebrate international women’s history month, Secretary Albright never stopped inspiring future women leaders and engaging them on a very personal level.

We are so grateful for the life and legacy of Madeleine Albright, one of the greatest champions of the transatlantic relationship and defenders of the rules-based order.

“We are reminded hourly of the powerful lessons and enduring legacy of Secretary Albright as the Ukrainian people so courageously confront Russia’s unprovoked aggression today,” said GMF President Heather A. Conley. “She always reminded us that America is ‘the indispensable nation’ and America’s values—in particular America’s welcoming of refugees—are our highest source of strength, which she herself represented. We are so grateful for the life and legacy of Madeleine Albright, one of the greatest champions of the transatlantic relationship and defenders of the rules-based order.”

Secretary Albright was a regular participant in many of GMF’s convenings, including speaking roles at Brussels Forum and NATO Engages. At the 2018 Brussels Forum, she shared her own family’s history as asylum-seekers, first in the United Kingdom and then the United States, as part of a panel on the European migration crisis. She shared with the audience this anecdote: “One of the things I love to do is to give out naturalization certificates. I did it the first time on July 4th, 2000, at Thomas Jefferson's home… a man comes up he says, ‘Can you believe it? I'm a refugee and I was given my certificate by the Secretary of State!’ I went up to him and said, ‘Can you believe that a refugee is Secretary of State?’”

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, dear friends, and colleagues at this time. Her voice will be sorely missed.