When House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced her retirement last year, USA Today called her “the most powerful woman in the history of the United States.” The first woman to become speaker and one of the most consequential legislators of her era, Pelosi has represented San Francisco for nearly four decades. 

First elected to Congress in 1987, Pelosi has described her journey as going from “kitchen to Congress, housewife to House Speaker.” She says she was first driven to run for office out of concern over child poverty. Among the proudest achievements she cites are shepherding passage of the Affordable Care Act and passing the American Rescue Plan Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also points to her leadership on climate issues, including the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022— the largest climate investment in American history.

In this Commonwealth Club World Affairs program, Pelosi will reflect on her career, the turning points that defined her leadership, and the future of American democracy. From her years in Washington’s power centers to the upheavals of recent political history, she joins us to talk about her legacy and her view of the road ahead—including this year’s midterm elections and 2028 presidential race. 

At 12 pm, continue the conversation at a social hour and a wine tasting with Women Led Wineries from California. Meet the women behind some of the most-awarded wine labels and taste some signature bottles (Speaker Emerita Pelosi will not be in attendance for social hour/wine tasting).