NANCY PELOSI

Nancy Pelosi, the only daughter and youngest of six children, was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She has commented on how growing up with five older brothers made her well prepared for dealing with unruly men in Congress. Her father, Thomas D'Alesandro Jr., was a well-liked local politician from Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives just before Nancy was born. Her brother, Thomas D'Alesandro III, later served as mayor of Baltimore. Politics was quite literally the family business, and Nancy grew up watching her father serve his constituents with dedication and learning the art of coalition-building at the dinner table.

She went on to graduate from Trinity College in Washington, D.C., in 1962 with a degree in political science. The following year, she married Paul Pelosi, and the couple moved to New York before eventually settling in San Francisco. The two of them are still together and have five children. Focused on raising her family throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she stepped into politics as a volunteer for the Democratic Party, working her way up through the party ranks in California. She served as chair of the California Democratic Party from 1981 to 1983 and as chair of the 1984 Democratic National Convention host committee in San Francisco.

Nancy was first elected to Congress in 1987 in a special election to represent California's 5th District (later the 8th and 11th Districts, and currently the 12th District), which includes most of San Francisco. She has represented the city continuously ever since, becoming a powerful voice for her constituents and championing progressive causes on the national stage. Her early work in Congress focused on human rights, particularly advocating for democracy in China and for people living with HIV/AIDS during the height of the epidemic when many politicians avoided the issue.

Nancy is the first woman in American history to lead a major political party in either chamber of Congress and served as the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Her colleagues elected her House Democratic Whip in 2001 and House Democratic Leader in 2002, making her the first woman to hold both positions. In 2007, when Democrats won control of the House, she was elected Speaker, shattering what she called "the marble ceiling" of the Capitol. She famously declared at her swearing-in, "This is an historic moment—for the Congress, and for the women of this country. It is a moment for which we have waited more than 200 years."

As Speaker, Pelosi demonstrated formidable political skill in navigating complex legislative battles. She served as Speaker from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023, becoming only the second person in history to serve non-consecutive terms as Speaker. During her first tenure, she was instrumental in passing the Affordable Care Act in 2010, which extended health insurance coverage to millions of Americans. Despite fierce opposition and enormous political pressure, she marshaled the votes needed to pass the landmark legislation, demonstrating her legendary ability to count votes and hold her caucus together. She also played a crucial role in passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in response to the 2008 financial crisis, helping to stabilize the economy and prevent a deeper recession.

A powerful voice for women's rights, she was instrumental in the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, bolstering women's and other workers' protections against pay discrimination. In 2023, she was honored at UC San Francisco with the first-ever Bay Area Global Health Alliance Leadership Award for championing policies supporting people living with AIDS/HIV throughout her career. Her commitment to healthcare access and equality has been a through-line of her entire career in Congress.

Her legislative accomplishments include the passage of historic investments in college aid, clean energy and innovation, and initiatives to help small businesses and veterans. Under Pelosi's leadership, the 111th Congress was heralded as "one of the most productive Congresses in history," passing significant legislation on financial reform, student loan reform, and healthcare. During her second tenure as Speaker, she led the House through two impeachment proceedings of President Donald Trump and was instrumental in passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, which included historic investments in climate action.

Beyond legislation, Pelosi has been known for her masterful understanding of parliamentary procedure, her discipline in message management, and her ability to fundraise for Democratic candidates across the country. She has been both praised by supporters as a strategic genius and criticized by opponents for her fierce partisanship, but few dispute her effectiveness as a leader. Her image—standing up to President Trump during tense negotiations, tearing up his State of the Union speech, or clapping at him during a confrontation—became iconic moments that defined her willingness to stand firm on principle.

Nancy Pelosi has worked tirelessly to increase the number of women in public service, and through her leadership, she has paved the way for many more women to enter politics. She has mentored countless women in Congress and has been a powerful advocate for recruiting and supporting women candidates. In 2022, she announced she would step down from Democratic leadership but continue serving in Congress, representing San Francisco and supporting the next generation of leaders. Her legacy as a trailblazer, master legislator, and fierce advocate for her values has secured her place as one of the most consequential political figures of the 21st century.