Women's College Coalition

March 25, Los Angeles |The Women’s College Coalition (WCC) hosted Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, nineteen-term Congresswoman and alumna of Trinity Washington University, for a student-led discussion on “A Woman’s Path to Leadership” with Trinity student leaders on March 19. Speaker Emerita Pelosi answered questions for an hour from eight student leaders and 18 university presidents covering women’s leadership, women in politics, and how to make an impact in increasingly divided times.  The discussion was held on Capitol Hill.

Since 1987, Pelosi has served as a U.S. Representative, most recently representing California’s 11th Congressional District. She made history in 2007 when she was elected the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House. Then, in January 2019, Pelosi made history again when she regained her position– the first person to do so in more than six decades. 

“Speaker Emerita Pelosi is a role model for all young people, because of her lifetime commitment to making social change here and abroad,” said Dr. Ann McElaney-Johnson, Board Chair of the WCC and President of Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles. “Nothing could be more empowering than the next generation of leaders from women’s colleges being in conversation with a beacon of public service like Speaker Emerita Pelosi about key issues of women’s leadership during Women’s History Month.”

At the program’s conclusion, the Speaker Emerita was awarded the WCC’s Lifetime Leadership Award for her personal and professional contributions to advancing women’s causes and advocating for gender equality.

“The Women’s College Coalition team has been invaluable in lifting up women and girls in higher education,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said. “It was my pleasure to meet with so many talented and ambitious young women who will go on to change the world – including from my alma mater, Trinity Washington University!  Our conversation this week once again reaffirmed this truth: there is nothing more wholesome for our policies and politics than the full participation of women – because when women succeed, America succeeds!”

"The WCC and its members are inspired by Speaker Emerita Pelosi’s lifelong contribution to advancing women's causes and advocating for gender equality. Throughout her career, she has been a champion for women and women’s colleges," said WCC Interim Executive Director Martha Malinski. “As a graduate of WCC member-institution Trinity Washington University, she has always fully understood the challenges, needs, and priorities of our institutions. It was thrilling for all of us to spend time with her and we are grateful to her as a role model for our students.”