It was the day of her brother's funeral but still, the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, the third most powerful person in the United States, kept her date at National Geographic to help launch the institution's new exhibition, Women: A Century of Change.
In National Geographic's auditorium, Ms. Pelosi addressed hundreds who stood and applauded when she entered and who stood and applauded when she left. The speaker noted that her daughters, Alexandra and Nancy, were present.
In conversation with Susan Goldberg who is the editorial director of National Geographic's publications and the first female editor-in-chief of the magazine, Speaker Pelosi talked informally about her entry into public life and, based on her experiences, she had some recommendations for those who may consider it.
At first in the public arena, she was shy. The "best advice" she has for those listening: "Be yourself" and ask: "What is your 'why'?"
Ms. Pelosi was first elected to Congress in 1987 when only 23 of 435 representatives were women. Now, there are 102, and some are Republicans. "We need more women" in Congress, she said. There is no glass ceiling.
"There need to be many women at the table," she said to applause.
Speaker Pelosi and Ms. Goldberg sat in front of a few enlarged photographs from Ms. Pelosi's life which included the "Mona Lisa" of political Washington, the photograph of Speaker Pelosi taking command at a White House meeting last month with President Trump and other men seated at a large table.
George Washington appointed Commander in Chief at the Second Continental Congress, June 19, 1775, Philadelphia/Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons
Ms. Pelosi laughed a lot and was obviously comfortable in the surroundings. She looks better in real life than she does in photographs or on television.
Speaker Pelosi chats with National Geographic's Susan Goldberg Oct. 23, 2019 in front of a photograph of Speaker Pelosi with her mother/Photo by Patricia Leslie
If she ruled the world, "the one thing" she would do: "Educate women and girls."
"Anything is possible. When women succeed, the world succeeds," and the audience loudly proclaimed its agreement as Speaker Pelosi exited the stage.
Women: A Century of Change opens at National Geographic/photo by Patricia Leslie
Ms. Pelosi laughed a lot and was obviously comfortable in the surroundings. She looks better in real life than she does in photographs or on television.
"You have to be ready to take a punch," she laughed and the audience laughed with her.
In one form or another, she recommended that those listening "follow your passion."
If she ruled the world, "the one thing" she would do: "Educate women and girls."
"Anything is possible. When women succeed, the world succeeds," and the audience loudly proclaimed its agreement as Speaker Pelosi exited the stage.
Women: A Century of Change opens at National Geographic/photo by Patricia Leslie
The National Exhibition exhibition features its photographs of women from the last century. A separate gallery is devoted to 24 women who herald the future and includes Speaker Pelosi and Christine LaGarde.
Every attendee at the launch event received a copy of the new National Geographic magazine which features the exhibition and begins a year of women's coverage to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote in 1920.
Every attendee at the launch event received a copy of the new National Geographic magazine which features the exhibition and begins a year of women's coverage to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote in 1920.
What: "Women: A Century of Change illuminates, celebrates and reflects on where
the world’s women have been, where they are now and where they are
going."
When: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily through Spring, 2020. The last ticket is sold at 5 p.m.
Where: National Geographic, 1145 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
Tickets: Adults: $15; seniors, military, students: $12; children ages 5-12, $10; children under age 5 are admitted free. No charge for contributing members.
Closest Metro stations: Farragut West (Orange Line) and Farragut North (Red Line)
For more information: 202-857-7700
patricialesli@gmail.com
When: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily through Spring, 2020. The last ticket is sold at 5 p.m.
Where: National Geographic, 1145 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
Tickets: Adults: $15; seniors, military, students: $12; children ages 5-12, $10; children under age 5 are admitted free. No charge for contributing members.
Closest Metro stations: Farragut West (Orange Line) and Farragut North (Red Line)
For more information: 202-857-7700
patricialesli@gmail.com
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