Nancy Pelosi

Today, on the thirty-seventh anniversary of my grandmother Mary Vardaro's death, Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as Speaker of the House. She is the first woman to hold this office, and the first Italian-American.

I find Pelosi's nomination particularly poignant on the heels of writer and activist Tillie Olsen's death.

Tillie spoke tirelessly and fiercely for the rights of women and working class citizens. I hope that, in whatever world follows this, Tillie and my grandmother are watching this historical event with tremendous pride.