Pelosi becomes historic
By Matthew Stoss and Sarah Sullivan, senior writer and contributing writer
Posted on November 16, 2006

Not only did last Tuesday’s election swing congressional power to the Democrats for first time since 1994, but also made a historical figure out of Rep. Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi, the current House minority leader, will become the speaker of the House when the new Congress is sworn into office in January, at which time she will become the first woman to the hold the office.

“[My status] shows that [women] can handle power at any level,” the democratic representative from California said. “[It shows] we can breathe air at this altitude.”

Pelosi’s new office makes her the highest-ranking woman in U.S. history, as it places her third in line for the presidency.

“Pelosi and other women in history like Harriet Beecher-Stowe are amazing role models for young women,” said Hillary Wing-Richards, associate director of the Women’s Resource Center.

Other women in power are U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who has retired, leaving justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the only woman currently serving on the court.
However, some just see Pelosi as the inevitable next step in American politics.

“I don’t think this says much for women in government,” Valerie Sulfaro, political science professor and political communication coordinator said.  “Nancy Pelosi is merely a part of this evolution of American politics. It would be much more surprising to see an African American speaker of the House.”

Internationally, America is behind. England has already seen a female prime minister in Margaret Thatcher, who preceded John Major from 1979-‘90. Thatcher was also the longest-serving prime minister since William Gladstone held the position in the 19th Century.

President Bush recognized this landmark for women and scheduled a special meeting between the two to discuss bipartisanship.

“This is historic for our country,” Bush said. “And as the father of young women, I think it’s important. I really do.”

Pelosi takes over former House Speaker Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., who served in that capacity since 1999. It is also first the time since 1993 that a Democrat has held the position, with Tom Foley being the last.

“Representative Pelosi will bring partnership to the Congress because there is so much work to be done,” said College Democrats president senior Jessica Killeen. “She already has a plan for her first 100 hours as the speaker of the House.”

But, Pelosi’s historic advancement isn’t problem free as she faces a backlash for previous criticism of the Bush administration.

During a Nov. 8 interview, Pelosi said, “The administration is marked by gross incompetence and you have to have knowledge to have judgment, to make the right decisions, to improve the lives of the American people and the policies of the United States.”

It was not until 1992 that women made a profound impact on elections when they won a number of seats in the Senate and resulted in 1992 being called the “ Year of the Woman.” Today, women play a larger role.  

“Even after the 2006 elections, however, women will only occupy about 16 percent of all congressional seats,” political science professor Jill Hummer said. “Nancy Pelosi’s prospective selection as speaker of the House is certainly a milestone for women in American politics.”