If only Nancy Pelosi sets a trend

Of all the success stories in the recent U.S. election, one of the most encouraging is San Francisco congresswoman Nancy Pelosi becoming speaker of the House of Representatives, the first woman to achieve that high office, and now second in line to the presidency.

At only 15 per cent, the United States has one of the lowest proportions of women in national legislatures in the Western world. We don't do much better with our 21 per cent, particularly compared to Sweden's 47 per cent. If Ms. Pelosi's achievement influences more American women to run for office, and they are given a full opportunity to succeed, both American politics and American society should be improved. We might see an America with a great deal more concern for social justice and the environment and a great deal less for foreign adventures. A society, in other words, more like Sweden's.

Nancy Pelosi, a lady of great charm and intelligence, has done an impressive job of disciplining her caucus and leading them to victory, perhaps no more than you might expect from a woman who had five children in six years.

She is an inspirational politician who has proven she can work with both liberals and conservatives. Let's hope she inspires many American women to follow her lead.