John,

When Nancy Pelosi announced she would not run for leadership in the next House term starting in January, I began immediately reflecting on the tremendous role she’s played in the advancement of women’s rights and equality. She has been an indispensable leader in the many gains we have won in the past few decades.

Like you, I am grateful for her historic role as not only the first woman to be Speaker, but in fact, to be the best Speaker ever.

I hope you will join me in sending this Message of Gratitude to thank and honor Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is also special to our Feminist Majority community. You see, in 1987 when we founded Feminist Majority, Nancy Pelosi was beginning her Congressional career and both she and we were enthusiastic and energetic supporters of many more women in Congress.

35 years ago there were only 12 democratic women in the House and a total of 25 women in Congress. Today, there are more than five times as many, a tribute to the persistence, determination, and vision of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and dedicated activists and supporters like you.

So please send your Message of Gratitude today, and join me in letting Speaker Pelosi know how grateful we are for her unparalleled leadership.

For equality,

Eleanor Smeal President