Statement from Patricia Harrison on the Death of Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 23, 2022) – Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), released the following statement today regarding the death of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright:

“Madeleine Albright’s extraordinary contributions to our nation, as the first woman to be Secretary of State, as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and as an adviser to presidents, will have a lasting impact. 

“As an immigrant to the United States, she and her family experienced firsthand the invasion of then Czechoslovakia by the Nazis and what happens when autocracy replaces democracy. Her prescient warnings about the rise of extremism serve as a reminder that democracy requires vigilance and informed citizen participation. She was supportive of the work of public media and our commitment to fight disinformation and misinformation nationally and internationally, as Russia continues to weaponize disinformation in its invasion of Ukraine.

"Her intellect, her patriotism, and her passion made her a formidable presence around the world and her story inspired women and girls everywhere.

“May her memory be a blessing to her family and all who knew her.”

About CPB
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