Nancy Pelosi, the trailblazing former Speaker of the House and a dominant figure in American politics for nearly four decades, has offered a sobering yet hopeful outlook on the prospect of a woman ascending to the presidency of the United States. In a candid interview published by USA Today on December 15, 2025, Pelosi reflected on the persistent barriers women face in American political life and predicted that, while she may not live to see it herself, a woman will occupy the Oval Office within the next generation.
"I certainly hope so," Pelosi told USA Today's Susan Page when asked if she believed a woman would be elected president during her lifetime. "I always thought that a woman would be President of the United States long before a woman would be Speaker of the House." Yet, as history unfolded, Pelosi became the first female Speaker nearly 20 years ago, while two women—Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2024—secured their party's presidential nominations but fell short in their bids against Donald Trump.
Pelosi's assessment is shaped by her own experiences breaking through what she famously describes as a "marble ceiling"—a term she prefers over the more commonly cited "glass ceiling" to illustrate the formidable, often opaque obstacles women encounter in politics. "It's not a glass ceiling, it's a marble ceiling," she explained to USA Today. Recalling her arrival in Congress in 1988, Pelosi noted that the men who ran things—the "poor babies," as she wryly referred to them—were less than welcoming. "I thought certainly the American people are far ahead of the Congress in terms of their acceptance or their enthusiasm for a woman to be President of the United States," she said.
Despite her achievements, Pelosi’s optimism about seeing a woman elected president has been tempered by the defeats of Clinton and Harris, both of whom lost to Trump in contentious elections. According to Fox News, Clinton’s loss in 2016 was a deciding factor in Pelosi’s decision to delay her planned retirement, underlining her commitment to advancing women's leadership. Yet, as she told USA Today, “I think it’s probably − maybe not in my lifetime, but within this next generation, there’ll be a woman.”
Pelosi’s comments come at a time when the nation continues to grapple with questions about gender and leadership. Last month, former First Lady Michelle Obama sparked debate by stating that Americans are "not ready" to elect a woman president. Pelosi, however, pushed back on that claim in a conversation with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, questioning the validity of such doubts. “Well, I hope—I mean, I respect her, and I know that view is one that we all are saddened by, but we—I think we have to change. The fact is that I’ve heard every excuse in the book, you know, like, ‘I’m not sure a woman could be commander-in-chief.’ Well, why not?”
Pelosi further challenged the notion that military service is a prerequisite for presidential leadership, noting, “Well, I served in the military.’ Well, OK. And so? So do women serve in the military.” Her remarks highlight the evolving, yet still fraught, public perceptions about women’s suitability for the nation’s highest office.
Reflecting on her own path to power, Pelosi admitted she never set out to become Speaker. “I always thought we would have a woman president long before we had a woman Speaker of the House,” she said. When Cooper pressed her on why she believed that, Pelosi replied, “Because I thought the American people were much more ready for a woman president. Just the thought of it is so exciting and the message it sends to the world. Faster than there would be a woman speaker as this place, I mean, it’s shall we say—it’s male-dominated for hundreds of years and so when I ran for leadership, they said, ‘Who said she could run?’” She added with characteristic wit, “Oh, poor babies. I’m not waiting for you to tell me I can run.”
Pelosi’s tenure in Congress has been nothing short of historic. Elected 20 times by her San Francisco constituents, she served as Speaker from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023, becoming a symbol of perseverance and political acumen. As The Guardian noted, she will turn 86 in March 2026 and plans to retire at the end of her final term in January 2027. Of her decision to step down, Pelosi told USA Today, “It was time. I mean—I’ve been ready for a while.” When asked about her future plans, she responded with a touch of exasperation and humor: “I don’t have to do anything—I’m old!”
Pelosi’s relationship with President Joe Biden, a longtime ally, has also evolved in recent years. She played a role in convincing Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, a move that paved the way for Trump’s return to the White House. Since Biden’s withdrawal, Pelosi acknowledged to USA Today that they have not spoken, saying, “I’m saddened by it because I love him and I respect him. But I respect his decision in that regard.” Despite their estrangement, Pelosi expressed gratitude for Biden’s public praise of her legacy. Upon her retirement announcement in November 2025, Biden issued a statement calling her “the best Speaker of the House in American history.”
Pelosi’s musings on the future of women in American politics resonate amid broader societal debates. Michelle Obama’s assertion that “we ain’t ready” for a woman president reflects a skepticism that, while widely discussed, is far from universally accepted. Pelosi’s own optimism, though measured, is grounded in a belief that the American people’s attitudes are evolving faster than those of their elected representatives. “There is a ‘pecking order’ of men in Washington who feel that they are entitled to certain positions within the government, and that it ‘still exists really on the Republican side,’” Pelosi remarked, underscoring the lingering resistance to women’s advancement in the nation’s capital.
Yet signs of change are visible. Kamala Harris, despite her defeat in 2024, continues to poll strongly among potential Democratic candidates for 2028, and her recent memoir tour has fueled speculation about another presidential run. These developments, coupled with the growing presence of women in Congress and statehouses across the country, suggest that the "marble ceiling" may finally be showing cracks.
As Pelosi prepares for retirement, her legacy as a pioneer and advocate for women’s leadership remains secure. Her reflections offer both a realistic assessment of the challenges ahead and a hopeful vision for the future—one in which, as she predicts, a woman will indeed take her place behind the Resolute desk, if not in her lifetime, then in the lives of the next generation.
