Women, Faith and Development Blog

Madeline Albright Keynoe

Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright returned to the Cathedral to give a keynote address. She was previously in attendance and gave a keynote address at the 2005 Consultation of Religious Leaders on Global Poverty. As one of the Breakthrough Co-Chairs, she has played an important role in the launching of the Women, Faith and Development Alliance, which she described as, "global, united doers and we are here to stay." Albright reiterated the belief that investments in women and girls hold the key to an achievable goal, which is the elimination of extreme poverty. "We do not accept that poverty is an inevitable part of the human condition" she said.

She also cited some meetings with leaders and others capable of addressing this goal, who said that the elimination of extreme poverty is unattainable. Albright said that it is not something impossible like trying to reverse gravity or tying a rope around the sun. "Poverty is not a force of nature - it is a choice. What we have the ability to choose, we have the power to change," said Albright. She also called on leaders in the women's rights, faith, and development communities to commit to the struggle against female impoverishment. "Every life counts," Albright said. "We look forward to the day when every girl can live in a world where her dignity is respected, her rights are protected, and her future is determined by her own will."

 

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