Serpent Pin

Meeting with Iraqi Officials, 1997

When U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Madeleine Albright criticized Saddam Hussein, his poet-in-residence responded by calling her “an unparalleled serpent.” Shortly thereafter, when preparing to meet with Iraqi officials, Albright decided to make a diplomatic statement by wearing a snake pin (even though she did not like snakes). Although her method of communication was new, her message was as old as the American Revolution – Don’t Tread on Me! From that day on, pins became part of her diplomatic signature.