Governor Sebelius and Congresswoman Pelosi to Receive Honorary Degrees
at Gala Event: A Celebration of Trinity Women’s Leadership
Members of Congress, Ambassadors to Attend

WASHINGTON….. Trinity College will honor two women leaders for their outstanding achievements and public service on Thursday, September 25, at 7:00 p.m.  Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will be presented with honorary Doctors of Law degrees from their alma mater, Trinity College, at a Gala event, “A Celebration of Trinity Women’s Leadership.”

 Congresswoman Nancy D’Alessando Pelosi has served in the House of Representatives since 1987, representing California’s Eighth District which includes most of the City of San Francisco.  Overwhelmingly elected by her colleagues in the fall of 2002 as Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi is the first woman in American history to lead a major party in the U.S. Congress. Before being elected Leader, she served as House Democratic Whip for one year and was responsible for the party’s legislative strategy.

In 2002, Kathleen Gilligan Sebelius was elected the 44th Governor of Kansas, She was the first Democrat to win statewide election in Kansas in 60 years.  She is one of only 23 women ever to serve as governor of a state in the United States, 16 of whom were elected, with five currently serving. 

Governor Sebelius and Congresswoman will be presented with honorary degrees by Trinity College Board Chair Peggy O’Brien and President Patricia McGuire, both graduates of Trinity College.  President McGuire will announce the establishment of the Trinity Institute for Women’s Leadership, a non-partisan academic center devoted to teaching, learning and research on issues of concern to women.

The Gala event begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. in the Trinity Center for Women and Girls in Sports.  Trinity is located at 125 Michigan Avenue, N.E., one block east of North Capitol Street and 2 miles from the U.S. Capitol.

For more information, contact Ann Pauley, 202/884-9725, pauleya@trinitydc.edu