Big deal Quote by Madeleine Albright
“I have to tell you, my seven-year-old granddaughter said to my daughter, her mother, 'So what's the big deal about Grandma Maddy having been Secretary of State? Only girls are Secretaries of State.' Most of her lifetime, it's true. But at the time it really was a big deal.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview, Madeleine Albright, 1995
A child’s comment highlights how gender expectations make women’s achievements seem extraordinary, revealing societal bias.
In simple terms: Gender bias makes women’s success seem unusual.
Key Takeaway
Challenge gender stereotypes.
Themes
gender
bias
achievement
Mood
hopeful
determined
Type
political
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education
- politics
- family dialogue
Key Concepts
feminism
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we normalize women in leadership?
- What can we teach children about gender equality?
A Different Perspective
Progress requires changing perceptions, not just celebrating milestones.
![“I think the hardest part [is] the priorities. There are an awful lot of things to do [being Secretary of State].” quote by Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5dc/madeleine-albright-1360_awful_i-think-the-hardest-part-is-the-prioriti_401408.jpg)
![“[John Kerry] actually stole my line because when I became Secretary of State, I said, 'I hope my heels will fill Warren Christopher's shoes.' So he reversed that.” quote by Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f82/madeleine-albright-1360_heels_john-kerry-actually-stole-my-line-becaus_1614706.jpg)
![“John Kerry knows more about more subjects than an awful lot of people. But I think it's a very hard job [Secretary of State].” quote by Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fbd/madeleine-albright-1360_awful_john-kerry-knows-more-about-more-subject_1172804.jpg)
![“I was not only the first woman to become secretary of state, I was the first [U.S.] secretary of state of the 21st century. I was the first secretary of state to own a Web site, to visit Internet cafes, and to make Internet access a part of policy.” quote by Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/464/madeleine-albright-1360_21st-century_i-was-not-only-the-first-woman-to-become_1142609.jpg)
