Thrilling! WP: Women Bask in New Speaker's Shining Moment

[DeepModem Mom]

Women Bask in New Speaker's Shining Moment
By Lyndsey Layton
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 5, 2007; Page C01


Nancy Pelosi throws her head back in laughter during yesterday's historic vote. "The barriers are gone," said one supporter. (By Rich Lipski -- The Washington Post)

This was the visual they had dreamed about for years, for decades, for a lifetime. A woman standing on the wooden dais before the high-backed leather chair of the speaker of the House, the gavel in her hand, the American flag draped behind her.

And when Nancy Pelosi made American history yesterday and was formally elected speaker, the raucous cheers that rang through the House chamber came from young girls in Mary Janes, working women in business suits, elderly ladies carrying canes and more than a few men. For hours after the formal swearing-in, the ascension of Pelosi was the topic throughout the corridors of the Capitol. Several women said they looked forward to the State of the Union address later this month because Pelosi would be in the speaker's chair and a woman would share the television screen with the president.

"For our daughters and granddaughters, today we have broken the marble ceiling," Pelosi told cheering members of the House and their families who crowded into the chamber as the Democratic leader was formally elected speaker of the 110th Congress. "For our daughters and granddaughters today, the sky is the limit."...

***

It took nearly two hours for the members to elect Pelosi on a 232-202 party-line vote. They stood one by one, many delivering brief remarks along with their votes. "Just as the biblical Esther was called to save the nation, I cast my vote for another woman called for such times as these," said Rep. Bobby Rush, the Chicago Democrat and former Black Panther. Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) announced her vote for Pelosi was "for the future of all of our grandchildren and for world peace."...

***

The accessory of the day seemed to be a baby or, if not available, a toddler....The role model herself stood on the dais to swear in the entire House amid a clutch of children, including several of her own grandchildren. She was calm enough to let one of the younger girls hold the newest grandbaby, and she was focused enough to do her work amid their antics, a talent she perfected years ago as a mother of five and grass-roots political activist.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/04/AR2007010401935.html

[MichiganVote]

1. And its about time a woman was out in HER place. Here's to many more!

[mongo]

2. Here's to you Madam Speaker

Hope you kick some ass and take names!

:toast:

[terip64]

3. kick for the glory of it!

[loyalsister]

4. Truly awesome!!

There are so many women in history who I wish could see this!

[NastyRiffraff]

5. Just beautiful!

From many American women....

THANK YOU, NANCY!

[Clark2008]

6. A woman's place is in the House...

leading it!

:woohoo: