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Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

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Profiles in Women's History

It isn't too shocking that Nancy Pelosi, 62, got involved in politics. It's the family business! Her father, Thomas D'Alesandro Jr., served five terms in the House of Representatives and was mayor of Baltimore, Maryland, for 12 years. Her brother, Thomas D'Alesandro III, was also mayor of Baltimore.

But Pelosi's career has outshone them all. In November, the Congresswoman from California became the highest-ranking woman in the history of the U.S. Congress. Fellow Democrats chose her as their leader in the House of Representatives. Her title: Minority Leader (Republicans are currently the majority party).

Says Pelosi: "The election of a woman to lead a major party in Congress does not just end an old era, it launches a new one."

Pelosi's job is to try to get Democrats to agree and vote together on the issues before Congress. She must ensure that Americans have a clear understanding of the party's plans, especially plans to keep our country safe and improve the economy. Two issues she also cares deeply about are human rights and protecting the environment.

Pelosi is the mother of five grown children. She was first elected to Congress in 1987, where she represents a district in San Francisco. Pelosi spent a year as House Democratic Whip, her party's second-highest position in the House, before replacing Richard Gephardt of Missouri as Minority Leader.

Pelosi realizes that her victory broke a big barrier. "It shows that America is closer to the ideal of equality that is both our heritage and our hope," she told TFK. Pelosi hopes her success inspires other women to "compete and win on other playing fields."

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She Led the Way

Nancy Pelosi could not have become Democratic leader if it weren't for Jeannette Rankin. In 1916, at a time when most American women could not vote, Rankin became the first woman elected to Congress.

Rankin was elected to the House of Representatives again in 1940. The Montana native helped write an amendment to the Constitution guaranteeing women the right to vote. She was also a pacifist. She was the only Congress member to vote against U.S. entry into both World Wars.

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