Excitement flooded through the U.S. House of Representatives chamber on January 4, 2007. After all, nothing like this had ever happened before in the United States. Today, Nancy Pelosi, the congresswoman from California, would take power as the first female Speaker of the House, the most important position in the legislature. According to the Constitution, if anything should happen to the President or Vice President, the Speaker of the House would become the nation s leader. Nancy had been prepared since childhood for a life in politics. She probably never imagined she d one day become Speaker of the House. But, she was definitely up for the challenge! Read how this dedicated and intelligent woman balances the demands of family, power, and politics.
