The decision by Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to leave Congress after almost four decades marks the end of an era for both the powerhouse Democrat and her party at large.
The former Speaker not only wrote herself into the history books as the first woman to hold the gavel, but also muscled into law some of the most significant policy changes of modern times, including sweeping health care, climate and Wall Street reforms.
Along the way, Pelosi earned a reputation a...