Nancy Pelosi 

Former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
 

Nancy Pelosi is one of the most influential political figures in modern American history. The first woman to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, she has been a leading voice for civil rights, social justice, and legislative democracy for over three decades. First elected to Congress in 1987, she rose to become a central figure in the Democratic Party, recognized for her progressive vision and her ability to lead through moments of intense political crisis.

 

Born in Baltimore into a family with deep political roots—her father, Thomas D’Alesandro Jr., was both a Congressman and Mayor of Baltimore—Pelosi studied political science at Trinity College in Washington, D.C., before settling in San Francisco, where she built her political base. She became the first woman to lead a party caucus in the House in 2002 and was elected Speaker in 2007, a role she held from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023.

 

During her tenure, she oversaw the passage of landmark legislation, including the 2008 economic stimulus package, the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”), the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, and sweeping reforms on climate, infrastructure, and labor rights. She also played a central role in both impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, standing as a guardian of constitutional checks and balances. A symbol of determined leadership, Pelosi remains a key figure in the fight for democratic values in the U.S. and beyond.