Nancy Pelosi breaks through "marble ceiling" to become House Speaker

NYT/AP: Pelosi Ascent in Congress a Breakthrough
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: January 3, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- It shouldn't be surprising that it took more than 200 years for Congress to select a female speaker of the House. The United States isn't exactly at the forefront when it comes to women in politics.

Women make up a larger share of the national legislature in 79 other countries, including China, Cuba, North Korea and Vietnam, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an association of national legislatures. The U.S. even trails a couple of fledgling democracies: Afghanistan and Iraq.

''When my colleagues elect me as speaker on Jan. 4, we will not just break through a glass ceiling, we will break through a marble ceiling,'' said Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who is set to lead the House when the Democrats take over. ''In more than 200 years of history, there was an established pecking order -- and I cut in line.''

There were 22 women in the House when Pelosi was first elected to her California district in 1987. There will be a record 71 female representatives when she takes over as speaker, giving women 16 percent of the seats....

Once women decide to run for office, they are just as successful as men, according to experts who study the issue. However, women are much less likely to run....

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Female-Speaker.html

"Women make up a larger share of the national legislature in 79 other countries, including China, Cuba, North Korea and Vietnam, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an association of national legislatures"

So the evil Commie countries have more women represented than us?

India, Pakistan & Sri Lanka have elected women as leaders of their countries. These countries are known by traditions to view women as inferior beings. We here in the US are supposed to have a different viewpoint but it seems like most people say one thing & believe another.