President Joe Biden, along with former presidents, US gov’t officials, foreign ministers, Secretaries of State and a large congressional delegation commemorated the life of this legendary woman (she was the first female Secretary of State) at her funeral today. President Biden, first to offer a tribute, called her a “force of nature who turned the tide of history.”

Madeline Albright was noted for her collection of pins; once she became US ambassador to the United Nations, she was quoted as saying she realized jewelry could take on an entirely new meaning. Saddam Hussein had compared her to an “unparalleled serpent”-which reminded her of a snake pin she had, and so she wore it when scheduled to meet with Iraqi officials in a subsequent meeting. Ms. Albright chose her pins to reflect her mood, or the anticipated events/reactions she expected to feel or meet on any given day. Her pin selection was always symbolic.

She actually penned a book about her pins called Read My Pins: Stories from A Diplomat’s Jewel Box.

Madeline Albright’s wisdom and diplomatic expertise will be sorely missed in this fractious world we live in. I so loved what Hillary Clinton said in her final remarks: “So the angels better be wearing their best pins, and putting on their dancing shoes. Because if, as Madeline believed, there’s a special place in hell for women who don’t support other women, they (the angels) haven’t seen anyone like her yet.”

Rest In Peace Madam Secretary.