What did Madeleine Albright wear when she met North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to represent America’s might?
Albright visited China in 1998 to prepare for the summit meeting between President Clinton and Chinese President Jiang Zemin to illustrate improved relationship between Washington and Beijing despite US-China differences.
What was her symbol?
Why did Albright wear zebras when she met with Nelson Mandela in 1997?
What did it mean when she wore a bee meeting with the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat?
You can get all the answers at the Bellevue Arts Museum exhibit for Albright’s pin collection, a compilation that reflects the U.S. as well as her personal diplomacy.
The story behind each of Albright’s 200 pins is fascinating. How did she even think about having a different pin for each of her diplomatic trips? I guess it has to do with her being the first woman in U.S. history to be Secretary of State in 1997.
Fashion and jewelry are part of a woman’s signature, and Albright has cleverly used it to showcase her style, intellect, and important non-verbal messages towards each foreign leader and his country. What a subtle and graceful touch in diplomacy!
If you are a history buff or a jewelry fan, you don’t want to miss this exhibit, which ends June 7. (end)