McDonough to Co-Chair Event Honoring Madeleine Albright

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will receive the Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award at the annual “Wild About Harry” event sponsored by the Truman Library Institute, May 2, 2019. Established in 2010, the award recognizes individuals who have a sustained and distinguished record of service to the nation and its democratic ideals. Shook, Hardy & Bacon Chair Madeleine McDonough and Cyd Slayton are this year’s event chairs. 

Madeleine Albright was the first woman to serve as Secretary of State, from 1997 to 2001. During her tenure, she promoted the expansion of NATO into former Soviet-bloc nations and the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, supported the expansion of free-market democratization and creation of civil societies in the developing world, and furthered the normalization of relations with Vietnam. She has published several books, is a faculty member at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and serves as chair of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. In 2012, President Barack Obama honored her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

Previous recipients of the award include David McCullough, Henry Kissinger, Bob Dole and Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.).

“Wild About Harry” is the Institute’s signature event and fundraising dinner benefiting the Truman Library & Museum and celebrating the legacy of Harry Truman. Now in its 20th year, the event has raised more than $6 million to support nationally acclaimed education and outreach programs that foster civic learning and engagement. 

Tickets go on sale March 7, 2019; Truman Library Institute members have early access to tickets beginning March 1. The event will take place at the Marriott-Muehlebach Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri.