January 4 - First Female Speaker of the House

This Day in History: 4 January 2020

 

4 January 2007

 

13 years ago, today, Nancy Pelosi became the first female Speaker of the House, after John Boehner handed the speaker gavel over to her. She was a Democratic Representative from California, and with this gesture, not only did she become the first female speaker, but she also became the only woman to get that close to presidency, as after the Vice President, she was now second in line. Pelosi began her career in Congress 20 years prior, acting as one of the only 25 women to serve in both the House and the Senate. As well as this, in 2002, she was one of the House members to vote against President George W. Bush's request to use military force in Iraq.

 

As Speaker of the House from 2007 to 2011, she developed a reputation as being a tireless fundraiser and a successful securer of votes. At the same time as her terms as speaker, it was also Barack Obama's first presidential term, and through this, Pelosi had a vital role in organising House votes for the Affordable Care Act. The Democrats, however, lost the House majority in the 2010 midterms, but reclaimed it again in the 2018 midterms, and she became Speaker of the House again. In 2019, Pelosi oversaw the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

 

Want to find out more about Nancy Pelosi and her life as Speaker and prior? Clickhere for more details.