Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke at her annual Women’s History Month celebration today. At this year’s reception, Leader Pelosi honored the women Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. Below are the Leader’s remarks:
“Good afternoon. Thank you all for joining us for Women’s History Month – a celebration of history; of American history. Justices, we are gathered in Statuary Hall – a place that used to be the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives, a place where Abraham Lincoln served as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. And on very special occasions, the Speaker – and I thank the Speaker for extending the hospitality of this historic space for this historic occasion, so that, in Women’s History Month, we would have the occasion to appropriately honor the women Justices of the Supreme Court. We are so pleased that they are here.
[Applause]
“Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
[Applause]
“Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
[Applause]
“Associate Justice Elena Kagan.
[Applause]
“Unfortunately, Sandra Day O’Connor could not be with us. She sends her good wishes, and we will send yours to her, with all the appreciation in the world.
[Applause]
“But I did hear that Associate Justice David Souter was here. Let’s hear it for him, even though it’s Women’s History Month.
[Applause]
“I’m proud to welcome all of you, and to be joined by the Republican Conference Chair, Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Thank you, Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
[Applause]
“And we are entertained by the U.S. Army String Quartet. Thank you, String Quartet, wherever you may be.
[Applause]
“We’re really very excited about today, especially that so many of you recognize how important this is. Thank you for coming together for this bipartisan – really, non-partisan – celebration. Each Women’s History Month, Americans honor the giants of our history. We remember the women who advanced the cause of equality, at the ballot box, in the boardroom and before the bar. We’re so proud of the suffragettes, who are in the other room – Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott. They’re in the Rotunda. That took some doing on the part of Pat Schroeder to get them recognized in the Capitol. We hail the achievements of the leaders and advocates, of the suffragists and activists, of every woman who stood up and stepped forward to claim a full and equal place in our society.
“America is built on their shoulders; the groundbreakers, the trailblazers, the women willing to be among the first – the first – in our history. They hold our attentions, they ignite our aspirations, they are owed our deepest gratitude – and you’re going to hear me use the word ‘first’ a great deal today. It takes a lot to be first – a lot of courage, a lot of commanding respect. And today, it is our privilege to honor the first women to reach the highest court in the land: the first four women Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States.
[Applause]
“And just think, it happened not only in the lifetime of most of us in the room, but, for me and some others, in the lifetime of our children. This is such recent history – so long overdue.
“Justice Sandra Day O’Connor – the very first, who stood as the only woman on the Supreme Court for over a decade. Justice O’Connor could not be with us today, as I mentioned, but as we know, her leadership is an enduring presence both in these halls, in the halls of the Court, and in the bright futures of every woman in the legal profession today – indeed, for every American.
“Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg – one of the first female members of the Harvard Law Review, first.
[Applause]
“The first woman hired with tenure at Columbia Law School – another first.
[Applause]
“Co-founder of the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU.
[Applause]
“And the first justice to earn and deserve a nickname as fabulous as the ‘Notorious RBG.’
[Applause]
“Justice Sonia Sotomayor – the first Hispanic ever to serve on the Supreme Court…
[Applause]
“…Whose journey from the Bronx to the bench stands as an enduring affirmation of the power of the American Dream; an author, role model and favorite on Sesame Street.
[Laughter]
“And Justice Elena Kagan – the first female Dean of the Harvard Law School.
[Applause]
“The first female Solicitor General of the United States of America, and the woman whose historic confirmation marked the first time that there have ever been three women sitting on the Supreme Court. Isn’t that exciting?
[Applause]
“Again and again, their command of the law commands our respect. The leadership, the strength, the judgment of these women are an inspiration and challenge to all who would follow in their footsteps. Justices, I’m confining myself to my notes because I know you have work to do at the Court. And if I didn’t use my notes, I would speak all day about so much more about each and every one of you.
“And as we look around us, and we know this to be true: When women succeed, America succeeds. That’s our motto. Let’s do that again. When women succeed, America succeeds. We know there is still more to be done, and more battles to be won on behalf of the women of this country. So today, let us all rededicate ourselves to the work of delivering justice and equality to every American, of empowering every woman to succeed, and of renewing the American dream.
“It is now my pleasure to introduce the highest-ranking Republican woman in the House of Representatives, House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
[Applause]
“I didn’t want to dampen your enthusiasm for her, but I have more to say. Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers is a trailblazing working mom in her own right. She holds the special distinction of being the only Member of Congress in history to give birth three times while in office. How about that?
[Applause]
“She’s a wonderful mom, and balances it so beautifully. Thank you for joining us, Conference Chair McMorris Rodgers. Now, let’s have a welcome for Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers.”
[Applause]
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