Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has responded to former first lady Michelle Obama’s claim that Americans are not ready for a woman president. In an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Pelosi pushed back against Obama’s assertion, questioning the reasoning behind such a belief and emphasizing the need for societal change. She pointed out that women already serve in the military, which is a contradiction to the argument against female leadership. Pelosi also noted that the American people are more ready for a female president than a female speaker of the House, highlighting the progress made and the potential for future female leaders.
While Obama suggested that the nation is not yet prepared for a woman president, Pelosi argued that the societal readiness for female leadership has already been demonstrated in other roles, such as military service. She also highlighted that young women are actively pursuing their ambitions of becoming presidents, with many expressing their aspirations to her. Pelosi’s response underscores a broader debate on gender equality and the progress made in breaking traditional barriers in leadership roles.
Obama made her comments during a speech at the Brooklyn Academy of Music while promoting her new book,