Contributor(s): Nancy Pelosi | Nancy Pelosi is the Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives. From 2007 to 2011, she served as the first woman Speaker of the House and is also the first woman in American history to lead a major political party in Congress. Leader Pelosi has led House Democrats for a decade and has represented San Francisco in Congress for 25 years. Pelosi led the Congress in passing historic health insurance reform, key investments in college aid, clean energy and innovation, and initiatives to help small businesses and veterans. She has been a powerful voice for civil rights and human rights around the world for decades. Professor Michael Cox is founding co-director of LSE IDEAS and professor of international relations at LSE.