House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi ’62 Poised to Become Speaker, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius ’70 Wins Second Term
With the election of a Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in the November elections, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi ’62 is poised to become Speaker of the House in January 2007, the first woman in American history to hold this powerful position.
In the November 7 elections, Congresswoman Pelosi won her California district representing San Francisco and Governor Kathleen Sebelius ’70 won her second term to lead the State of Kansas. She is widely respected for her leadership and skill in building a bipartisan coalition in the state.
Both women value their education at Trinity, a women’s
college in Washington, D.C., and credit their college experiences with influencing their political careers.
As a student at Trinity, Pelosi majored in political science and was active in the Political Affairs Club, International Relations Club, Dramatic Society and French Club.
Pelosi values her women’s college experience at Trinity College. In an interview with the Trinity magazine, she reflected on her college years: “I loved Trinity College. It was an absolute joy to go there. We were in Washington, D.C., so I was active with the College Democrats. All of us, we felt very nurtured at Trinity. Our friendships are stronger today than they were then. My best friends from Trinity are still my best friends.”
Sebelius agrees that her Trinity experience played a part in her political career. The political science major, who also holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas, credits her Trinity experience with reinforcing the messages about public service that she had been raised on. In an interview in the Trinity magazine, Sebelius talked about her college experience: “I had several internships while at Trinity. I worked at a school on North Capitol Street and we used to do basketball clinics with the kids; I played basketball at Trinity, and that was an ongoing project. I think there was a sense at Trinity, living in northeast Washington, that you were very much a part of that community and to open your eyes and get involved was a message that a lot of people gave us.”
Trinity honored both Congresswoman Pelosi and Governor Sebelius in 2003. Many Trinity students have completed internships in Pelosi’s office on Capitol Hill.
Left to right: Peggy O’Brien ’69, Chair of the Trinity Board of Trustees, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius ’70, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi ’62, Trinity President Patricia McGuire ’74.
Download Photos of Nancy Pelosi
High-resolution images for download.
Trinity Honors Nancy Pelosi, Kathleen Sebelius, 2003
Congresswoman Pelosi Profile in Trinity Magazine