Madeleine Albright became the nation's first female secretary of state, holding that position in Clinton administration from 1997 to 2001. 

Albright was born in 1937 in Prague, Czechoslovakia. She received a B.A. with honors from Wellesley College, a certificate from the Russian Institute at Columbia University, and her master's and doctorate from Columbia University's Department of Public Law and Government.

From 1976 to 1978, Albright was the chief legislative assistant to Senator Edmund S. Muskie. Previous experience in the White House included serving as a staff member on the NSC and as White House staffer responsible for foreign policy legislation, both from 1978 to 1981. Prior to joining the Clinton administration, Albright was president of the Center for National Policy. 

After Bill Clinton became president, he appointed Albright as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (1993-1997). In that position, she served as a member of both the cabinet and the National Security Council (NSC). Albright was also a research professor of international affairs and director of the Women in Foreign Service Program at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.