Read My Pins: the Madeleine Albright Collection

The Albright collection consists of pins that Secretary Madeleine K. Albright, America’s ambassador to the United Nations (1993-1997) and the first woman to occupy the position of U.S. Secretary of State (1997-2001), wore before, during and after her years of public service. Shortly after becoming a diplomat, Albright discovered the power of jewelry to convey a foreign policy message.

Before long, she began selecting appropriate pins to wear to particular meetings, visually expressing her high hopes, determination, impatience, or warm feelings. The brooches soon became her diplomatic signature.

The collection includes examples of fine art, but most are of the costume variety. Many are by anonymous designers and were selected for the signals they send and the spirit they convey. Sometimes demure and understated, sometimes outlandish and outspoken, these pins were used as gentle implements of statecraft. Their stories and messages reflect the Secretary’s sense of humor and her humanity, and are shared here for the first time in a public museum setting.

Visit the Bowers Museum Store or shop online to purchase a copy of Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewelry Box.