“For the first time ever there are more than 100 women in the House, bringing an all new reason to celebrate this Mother’s Day,” tweeted a jubilant Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Known as the only woman who stumps Donald Trump, and as the one rival at whom he has refrained from hurling vicious nicknames, Ms. Pelosi is widely admired for never getting angry, but also never mincing words in opposing the President’s hardline schemes like building a border wall and his climate and health care policies. She denounced his new immigration plan as “dead on arrival”.
A few days ago, this writer found herself seated 10 feet from Ms. Pelosi at the Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch in Chicago, thanks to Mridu Sekhar, a staunch Democrat, who has been on the hosting committee of this 18-year-old annual lunch tradition, launched and organised by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “The first year we had about 100 women in the hall. This year we have 3,000!” said Ms. Sekhar.
Indeed, foyer and staircase at the Hilton Hotel saw men notably outnumbered by women (Black, White and a smattering of Asians), striding into the two chandeliered dining halls, in black and white formal wear, offset by coiffures ranging from the stylish to the spectacular. Everyone present marvelled at how spare and spry Ms. Pelosi was at age 79, how alert and full of childlike enthusiasm in her interactions.
The room reeled under their excitement as young women politicians made speeches in high voltage rhythms. Interviewed by Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Pelosi managed to make every answer a spontaneous response.
And because Ms. Pelosi seemed to lock eyes with everyone, and address each guest individually, she brought a fresh sense of personal urgency to everything she said, especially as she talked about subjects close to her heart.
Beating Mr. Trump was goal number one — to ensure that “the most racist, misogynist, homophobic, dangerous President” was not re-elected. “Before I used to say ‘Just win baby!’ Now I say, ‘You win big baby!’,” she said. The Democrats had to win by a thumping majority in the Senate as well as the House of Representatives “because we know what they will do if we win by just a few seats.”
She added that the times were unlike anything known before, reducing the Republican-Democrat contest to insignificance. “This is not about politics, prejudice or personal judgement. But about patriotism, saving our Constitution, and the integrity of our democracy. Our fears are not unfounded when we find the Attorney-General (William Barr) lying to Congress. The stakes have never been higher.”
Clear vision
The interview ranged through several subjects dear to Democrats — from climate change and Robert Muller’s report to equal pay and violence against women. Ms. Pelosi exhorted “America’s Daughters” to know their power. “Don’t let anyone diminish what you bring to the table. Nothing is more wholesome in politics than the participation of women, but you must have a clear vision of what you care about, show how you will get it done.”
Ms. Pelosi’s attacks came with rollicking quips. She wondered whether Senate Majority Leader (Republican) Mitch McConnell’s vow to quash progressive proposals by morphing into the “Grim Reaper” was going to turn the Senate into a graveyard. Asked “what keeps Nancy Pelosi up at night”, she flashed back: “Why, the Trump administration!” In a reference to her smirk-n-mock applause for Mr. Trump, which went viral on social media, a delighted Ms. Pelosi tried many variations of that fluttery clapping, before joining the audience in their helpless merriment.
For an Indian journalist who attended the event to gain first-hand insights into the politics of another country, the most powerful impact came at an unlooked-for moment. What was said went far beyond the occasion, casting long shadows across our world of great migrations. “We are a land of immigrants. We will fail to be pre-eminent in the world when we close the road. We cannot let anyone undo our oneness. Our diversity is our strength. Our unity is our power.” Ms. Pelosi said it all. For all of us.
(Gowri Ramnarayan is a journalist and playwright)
