National History Day Students Meet Madeleine Albright

On September 7, 2011, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library hosted 40 of the Georgia students who advanced to National History Day 2011 for a private lecture and discussion with former U.S. secretary of state Madeleine Albright and a tour of the exhibit "Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat's Jewel Box."  Accompanied by parents and teachers, students from Alpharetta, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumming, Eatonton, Gainesville, McDonough, Rome, and Suwanee participated.

After Albright made opening remarks about her life and career, Mariam Ahmed, Hannah Lee, Ellen Min, and Giahoa Nguyen, national finalist Web-site builders from Collins Hill High School in Gwinnett County, interviewed her.  The session concluded with a lively question and answer period with other members of the audience, in which Albright shared her thoughts on women's education, diplomatic history, and the politics of different regions around the world.

Darlynn Bumgardner of Glynn Academy in Brunswick asked Albright to share her observations about the changing roles of women in the diplomatic corps.  Bumgardner noted afterward, "I now have a primary source for my 2012 National History Day documentary."
 
Other students added to their research by visiting the permanent exhibits at the Jimmy Carter Library or signing up to do work as researchers in the archives.  The students received signed copies of the Albright exhibition catalog as a souvenir of the day.

Laura McCarty, GHC vice president, said "the Georgia Humanities Council is grateful for our partnership with the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, which strengthens our work with National History Day in Georgia by providing resources and encouragement for student researchers, as well as opportunities for recognition of the excellent work done through National History Day."

Find out how to get involved in National History Day.