EMILY's List President Ellen R. Malcolm and EMILY's List Members Honor Speaker Pelosi at Annual Luncheon

Today the EMILY's List Women in Power! Luncheon honors Nancy Pelosi for her trailblazing accomplishments as a pro-choice Democratic woman and celebrates her ascension to Speaker of the House of Representatives—the highest political leadership post ever held by a woman.

"What a tremendous, historic achievement for our nation and for all of us who have worked so hard to put women in power!" said EMILY's List president Ellen Malcolm of Speaker Pelosi's election to the Speakership. "As the first woman Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi is a glowing example of how EMILY's List helps women rise to power at the highest levels of government."

Nancy Pelosi earned the Speaker's gavel through a lifetime of dedicated service to California, the Democratic Party and her country. Already Speaker Pelosi has proven to be a skillful and effective Speaker with the success of her ambitious 100-hour legislative agenda. Under her leadership, Democrats passed legislation to raise the minimum wage, implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, decrease prescription drug prices, increase funding for stem cell research, hold oil companies accountable, and make college more affordable—all in 42 hours. Speaker Pelosi's success as Speaker has earned her the overwhelming approval of her peers and the American people alike.

Speaker Pelosi's election was the crowning event of the 2006 midterm cycle which saw tremendous victories for EMILY's List women both up and down the ballot. Joining the more than 1,200 guests to honor Speaker Pelosi will be EMILY's List candidates Senator Claire McCaskill and Senator Amy Klobuchar, whose victories last fall increased the number of women in the Senate to a record level. From Senator McCaskill's efforts on behalf of veterans to Senator Klobuchar's work to help seniors afford their prescriptions, these women are changing the debate and the direction of Congress. Also honoring Speaker Pelosi will be Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton who is similarly poised to make history as the first woman president of the United States.

EMILY's List is honored to host these smart, tough, effective women in power. Nancy Pelosi inspires young men and women across America to break barriers and make history. EMILY's List is proud to recognize her accomplishments as she leads the way to electing more women, achieving more Democratic victories, and ultimately creating a better future for America.

Driven by the power of more than 100,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is the largest political action committee in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has raised over $240 million to elect 67 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 13 to the U.S. Senate, and eight governors. In only eleven election cycles, EMILY's List has helped elect hundreds of pro-choice Democratic women to federal office, state legislatures, state constitutional offices and other key local offices.