2 of 7

Activity: Crafting Connections: Designing a Diplomatic Pin

TEACHER NOTE: This resources is set to “view only.” Please make a copy to modify the resource and use it with your students.

In this activity, students will use the skills of diplomacy listed below. Learn more about all nine skills of diplomacy on our website.

Communication - Articulate your position and listen openly to others’ viewpoints. Determine where interests overlap. Confirm positions and use clear and appropriate language to avoid misunderstandings.
Leadership - Make decisions using what information is available. Keep the big picture in mind. Take steps to fill gaps in knowledge and understanding.
Innovation - Formulate alternatives and be flexible in responses to unanticipated circumstances.

3 of 7

Teacher Instructions

This activity uses the Read My Pins online exhibit from the National Museum of American Diplomacy to teach students about how Secretary Albright used her pins as visual educational tools of cultural diplomacy. This activity can be used as an assignment or as an exit ticket, helping students explain their thinking at the end of a lesson.

Activity Instructions:

Present slide 5. Explain to students that Secretary Madeleine Albright was a professor, author, diplomat, and businesswoman. She served as the Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001.
Present slide 6. Explain the purpose of her pin collection.
Have students view Secretary Albright’s pins using the Read My Pins online exhibit . Discuss the elements of symbolism behind the pins and the stories that accompany them.
After viewing Secretary Albright’s pins, have students create their own pin depicting their stance on a current event. Distribute activity hand-out that includes directions and a rubric. Walk students through the directions.
Once students complete their pin design, have students present their design to the class.

4 of 7

Activity Information

5 of 7

Secretary Madeleine Albright

Madeleine K. Albright was a professor, author, diplomat, and businesswoman who served as the 64th Secretary of State of the United States. Dr. Albright received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama on May 29, 2012.
In 1997, Dr. Albright was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the first female Secretary of State and became, at that time, the highest-ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government.
As Secretary of State, Dr. Albright reinforced America’s alliances, advocated for democracy and human rights, and promoted American trade, business, labor, and environmental standards abroad.

6 of 7

Secretary Albright’s Pins

According to Secretary Madeleine Albright, the purpose of foreign policy is to “persuade others to do what we want, or better yet, to want what we want. To accomplish this, a president or secretary of state has a range of tools.”

Secretary Madeleine Albright used the power of pins as a way of expressing what she was saying; a visual way to deliver a message

Psychologically speaking, non-verbal communication plays a crucial role in how others engage with our verbal communication. Clothing and jewelry makes a statement and tells people more about the wearers before the wearers open their mouth to speak.
Secretary Albright picked her pins carefully in order to communicate the issue she was dealing with or what she was feeling like on a given day.
View Secretary Albright’s pins using the Read My Pins online exhibit.

7 of 7

Crafting Connections: Designing a Diplomatic Pin

Tips For Success

Research and gather details about a current event or issue of your choice from a newspaper or web resource.
Determine the elements–animals, colors, objects, etc–that will help represent your stance on the issue.

You can take inspiration from Secretary Albright’s collection.
Do not just copy from her pins, but see the symbolism she used to depict her stance on an issue.

Write a description of the overall message of the pin you created.
Describe the symbols and visual clues you used to express your stance.
Check the rubric as you design and refine your pin.
You’re presenting your design to the class so make sure you can explain how your design reflects your stance.