Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi

Pelosi was born on March 26, 1940. Her father, Thomas J. D’Alesandro, became a House Representative the year before she was born. He remained in office until 1947, after which he became the 39^th Mayor of Baltimore. The first Italian American to hold that post. His parents immigrated to the United States. Her mother Annunciata M. Lombardi immigrated from Compobasso, Campania, Italy. Pelosi’s father claimed mainly northern Italian roots, and of course his wife was a southern Italian. Pelosi was one of six children—the last and only girl. Since her father was the mayor during her late childhood and teenage years many affectionately called her—the Mayor’s Daughter.

Pelosi came from a religious Roman Catholic family. She attended catholic high school and followed that with Trinity Woman’s College in Washington, D.C., from which she graduated in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Her initial experience at college was one of cultural shock. Since she lived, played, and attended school in Little Italy going to college away from the family and community took an adjustment. After college she worked as a congressional intern for a for a Maryland senator. Since her father was involved in politics the children were active in his campaign activities. Pelosi, when she was twelve years old attended the 1952 Democratic National Convention.   Consequently, politics were a natural to her.

After graduation, she married Paul Pelosi a Georgetown, graduate from San Francisco on September 7, 1963. After marriage they settle in New York, where he worked as a banker. By 1969, and after having five children they moved to San Francisco. There Nancy was active in politics as a supporter. She had no expressed intentions on running for any offices and eventually became the Chair of the California Democratic Party from 1981 until 1983. An incumbent, Phillip Burton, in the U. S. House of Representatives died (1983) and his wife, Sala Galante Burton, ran for his seat and won, however, after winning the second term she died two months after the election. Before her death, she recommended that Pelosi compete in the upcoming special election. She did and won not only won the special election, but the following 1988 regular election and continued to do so till this day. She has consistently garnered up to 80% of the votes. 

In October of 2001 the House elected her as minority whip. Her job was to ensure that democratic members would vote with specific pieces of legislation that the party supported and Republicans who may swing their way. She became the first woman to hold this post.  The following year she won another post as Minority Speaker of the House. The first woman to hold that post too. On January 3, 2019 on the opening day of the 116^th United States Congress, Pelosi received 220 votes to become, a first woman once again to hold the post of Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Dean of the House, Don Young swore her in along with the rest that took the oath of office.  The Speaker is second in the United States presidential line of succession, after the Vice President and ahead of the President pro tempore of the Senate.

 Pelosi, has been a very active individual seeking many forms of legislation. Many have recognized her for her endeavors and accomplishments. Some honors she received are: The Knight Grand Cross of the Order Merit of the Italian Republic, The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from Japan and in 2006, in Barbara Walters’ list of Most Fascinating Person of the Year, Pelosi was one. In the list of Forbes world’s most powerful women of 2014 she was ranked 26^th.