Albright was the first woman Secretary of State and the highest-ranking woman in the history of the United States government. As Secretary, Albright reinforced America's alliances, advocated democracy and human rights, and promoted American trade and business, labor and environmental standards abroad. Serving as a member of the President's Cabinet and National Security Council for eight years, Albright was also the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1993 to 1997.

As a child Albright fled to England to escape the Nazi advance. Many of her relatives were killed in the Holocaust, including her grandparents at Auschwitz and Terezin.