Politics House Democrats Give Outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi a New Title to Honor Her 20 Years of Leadership "Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi is the most consequential speaker in American history," said Pelosi's successor, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, "and I am humbled by the opportunity to recognize her as speaker emerita" By Kyler Alvord Kyler Alvord Kyler Alvord is a news editor at PEOPLE, leading the brand's political coverage. He joined the publication in 2021 on the crime beat. People Editorial Guidelines Published on November 30, 2022 01:43PM EST House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently announced that she would not seek reelection as the Democratic House leader — a position she's held for 20 years — so that fresh voices could have a turn to steer the ship. Though Pelosi, 82, will remain in Congress representing her hometown of San Francisco, she will no longer be on the leadership team. On Tuesday night, though, the day before House Democrats elected her successor, the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee unanimously voted to give her a new, honorary title as a token of their appreciation for her longtime service to the party: "speaker emerita." "Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi is the most consequential speaker in American history, and I am humbled by the opportunity to recognize her as speaker emerita," said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the incoming party leader who proposed the title for his predecessor. Love Her or Not, Nancy Pelosi's Legacy as House Speaker Is Nothing Short of Remarkable Nancy Pelosi embraces Hakeem Jeffries after announcing her resignation as Democratic House leader. Elizabeth Frantz for The Washington Post via Getty Jeffries continued: "This honorific reflects Speaker Pelosi's lifetime of service as a legendary legislator, notorious negotiator and a fabulous facilitator. Our caucus and our country are better off for her leadership, without question, and this title is but a small token of our gratitude." Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer. Pelosi made history in January 2003 as the first woman chosen to lead a party in either chamber of Congress. She is also the only woman to have served as House speaker, a position she's held two separate times during her tenure. On Wednesday Rep. Jeffries, 52, was voted to succeed her as the top House Democrat, himself making history as the first Black party leader in either chamber of Congress.