Nancy Pelosi

The Speaker of the House on shattering the “marble ceiling” and who will be the next POTUS.

- Sophie Brickman

In January, Nancy Pelosi began her final stint as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, a position she secured only after agreeing to a four-year term limit. It was a politically deft move that appeased the California representative’s myriad detractors, ensured the 220 votes that confirmed the seat, and illustrated perhaps her greatest strength: the ability to unite her party in order to get stuff done.

Born in Baltimore with five older brothers and a father who served as mayor, Pelosi became the first woman to ever lead a political party when she was elected Democratic Leader of the House in 2002. In 2007, she made history again as the first female Speaker of the House. Famous for being a fundraising juggernaut—she pulled in over $100 million for the Democratic party during the last election cycle—Pelosi has also proven herself to be a formidable politician, having been on the national stage longer than some of the incoming Congress members have been alive.

Joining Pelosi in Congress this year are a record-breaking 106 women hailing from all races, sexual orientations, and walks of life. Many have voiced their concerns that a 78-year-old, wealthy white woman who currently lives in San Francisco may not be the best representative for all Americans. Just days before her holiday break with family (she has five grown children) and the partial government shutdown, Pelosi weighed in on women supporting women, the future president, and the fiery burnt-orange coat that spawned a thousand memes.

ELLE: You’ve said that you think it’s harder for a woman to become Speaker of the House than president of the United States. Why is that?