CAWP Statement on the Retirement of Nancy Pelosi

Today, Representative Nancy Pelosi announced that she would retire at the end of her current term in Congress. She made history as the first woman speaker of the House of Representatives, yes, but in that moment she also altered the way we conceive political power. She made the imaginary real, and for young people who knew no other world, she permanently shifted the boundaries of the possible.

But she was more than a symbol. She is as consequential a speaker as any who has ever served and much moreso than many. She guided an ideologically diverse party through extremely fractious times and shepherded one of the most significant pieces of legislation in a generation through a divided Congress. Along the way, she both inspired other women to seek political office and supported them in doing so. When she took office, there were just 25 women serving in Congress. Today, there are 151. This tectonic shift is due in no small part to her private and public efforts.

Nancy Pelosi is a true American stateswoman whose legacy will echo in time.

Debbie Walsh
Director
Center for American Women and Politics