Oakland, CA—February 5, 2010. Mills College is proud to announce that Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, will be the Commencement speaker at Mills College's 122nd Commencement. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2010, at 9:45 am on Toyon Meadow.

A proud graduate of a women's college, Speaker Pelosi is an alumna of Trinity College in Washington, DC. She has represented California's Eighth District in the House of Representatives since 1987. Elected House Democratic Whip and later Democratic Leader of the House in 2002, Pelosi has been responsible for primary legislative strategy and was the first woman in the United States to lead a major party. In her historic role as the first female Speaker of the House, she is third in line to the presidency.

Noteworthy among her legislative accomplishments have been initiatives related to improving educational opportunity, environmental policy, ethics reform, women's health, and workers' rights. Human rights are central to her causes, and she has exercised global attention in that fight. Among her other achievements has been the creation of the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program, in addition to other advocacy on HIV/AIDS issues.

Speaker Pelosi's influence in national and diplomatic circles is well documented and respected on the global landscape. She is a strong, pragmatic leader whose energy and leadership have changed minds and inspired debate.

About Mills College
Nestled in the foothills of Oakland, California, Mills College is a nationally renowned, independent liberal arts college offering a dynamic progressive education that fosters leadership, social responsibility, and creativity to approximately 950 undergraduate women and 550 graduate women and men. Since 2000, applications to Mills College have more than doubled. The College is named one of the top colleges in the West by U.S. News & World Report, and ranks as one of the Best 371 Colleges by The Princeton Review. Forbes.com ranked Mills 55th among America's best colleges and named it a "Top Ten: Best of the All-Women's Colleges." Visit us at www.mills.edu.

PRESS CONTACT:
Jeanne Herrera
Media Relations Director
510.430.2320 /  jherrera@mills.edu