Synopses & Reviews
“Never losing faith, we waited through the many years of struggle to achieve our rights. But women weren't just waiting; women were working. Never losing faith, we worked to redeem the promise of America, that all men and women are created equal. For our daughters and our granddaughters today we have broken the marble ceiling. For our daughters and our granddaughters now the sky is the limit.” Nancy Pelosi, after being sworn in as Speaker of the House
When Nancy Pelosi became the first woman Speaker of the House, she made history. She gavelled the House to order that day on behalf of all of Americas children and said, “We have made history, now let us make progress.” Now she continues to inspire women everywhere in this thought-provoking collection of wise wordsher own and those of the important people who played pivotal roles in her journey.
In these pages, she encourages mothers and grandmothers, daughters and granddaughters to never lose faith, to speak out and make their voices heard, to focus on what matters most and follow their dreams wherever they may lead. Perhaps the Speaker says it best herself in the Preface: “I find it humbling and deeply moving when women and girls approach me, looking for insight and advice. If women can learn from me, in the same way I learned from the women who came before me, it will make the honor of being Speaker of the House even more meaningful.”
This is a truly special book to share with all the women you know. It is a keepsake to turn to again and again, whenever you need to be reminded that anything is possible when you know your power.
Review
"[R]eaders will appreciate the spirit, the sincerity, and the context of the message delivered by one of the most powerful women in the nation." Booklist
Synopsis
Nancy Pelosi was never a stranger to public service. She grew up the only daughter of Baltimore mayor Tommy D'Alesandro, known for leading one of the great political organizations of the century.
When she became a wife and mother, Nancy devoted her time to raising her five children. Still, she maintained her interest in public service and became a vital part of the Democratic community in her husband, Paul's hometown of San Francisco. Ever the delegator, Nancy even put her children to work stuffing envelopes and serving cheese and crackers to the party faithful. And as the kids grew older, she grew increasingly active, soon becoming chair of the California Democratic Party.
Overwhelmingly elected as House Democratic leader in 2002, Pelosi rallied the House Democrats to become more unified than they had been at any other time in the past fifty years, then led them to victory in November 2006. In January 2007, she was elected the first woman Speaker of the House, second in line to the presidency. She received the gavel as she has led her life, surrounded by children.
Synopsis
When Pelosi became the first woman Speaker of the House, she made history. Now she continues to inspire women everywhere in this thought-provoking collection of wise words her own and those of the important people who played pivotal roles in her journey.
About the Author
Nancy Pelosi became Speaker of the House in 2007 after serving twenty years in Congress. She and her husband, Paul, have been married for forty-five years. She is the mother of five children and the grandmother of seven. She divides her time between Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, California.
Reading Group Guide
I
n January 2007, upon being sworn in asthe first female Speaker of the House
of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi made
history, and for millions, that day marked a
watershed moment for women in America.
Now, in KNOW YOUR POWER, Madam
Speaker offers a thought-provoking collection
of wise wordsher own and those of the
important people who played pivotal roles
in her journeyto inspire countless women
to strive to be the best they can be, and not
let anything stand in the way of great
achievement. In these pages she encourages
mothers and grandmothers, daughters
and granddaughters to never lose faith, to
speak out and make their voices heard, to
focus on what matters most and follow their
dreams wherever they may leadall of
these ideas being wonderful ones for discussion,
whether your reading group is
comprised of adults or if you belong to a
mother/daughter book club.
The questions and discussion topics are
designed to enhance your reading of
KNOW YOUR POWER, and it is our hope
that they will enrich your conversations
about this stirring book.