The woman who made history with Nancy Pelosi

November 25, 2025

Terri McCullough, who began her career as an intern for Nancy Pelosi in 1991, is stepping down from her historic role as the first woman to serve as chief of staff to a House Speaker in an official, paid capacity. Throughout their decades-long partnership, McCullough and Pelosi worked together on landmark legislation including the Affordable Care Act, COVID-19 relief measures, and infrastructure bills, while consistently prioritizing policies benefiting women and LGBTQ+ communities. McCullough's tenure included navigating extraordinary challenges such as two presidential impeachments, the pandemic, and the January 6 Capitol attack, during which she played a crucial role in forming the Select Committee investigating the insurrection.

Who is affected

Terri McCullough (transitioning from chief of staff to senior adviser)
Nancy Pelosi (ending her congressional career after nearly 40 years)
Women and LGBTQ+ people (beneficiaries of policies shaped by McCullough and Pelosi)
Survivors of domestic violence (recipients of expanded legal services McCullough worked on)
Democratic lawmakers and House staff (colleagues losing a key leader and mentor)
Community leaders at state and local levels, many of whom were women (recipients of American Rescue Plan funds)
Women in trades and technical industries (beneficiaries of representation efforts in infrastructure and manufacturing legislation)
Tasia Jackson and other women in congressional staff leadership roles (following McCullough's path)

What action is being taken

McCullough is transitioning to the role of senior adviser for the remainder of Pelosi's term
Pelosi is serving her final term in Congress after stepping down from House Democratic leadership in 2022
Democratic lawmakers gave McCullough hugs and well-wishes at a send-off on Thursday
Pelosi took the House floor to honor McCullough

Why it matters

McCullough's career represents a significant milestone for women's representation in congressional leadership positions, as she was the first woman to serve as chief of staff to a House Speaker in an official, paid capacity. Her work demonstrates how prioritizing women's advancement in policy-making can transform legislation to better serve communities, from ensuring pandemic relief funds reached women community leaders to guaranteeing representation in infrastructure jobs. The partnership between McCullough and Pelosi expanded what was possible for women in an arena historically dominated by White men, with McCullough serving as a mentor to ensure she wouldn't be the last woman in such a role. Her leadership during critical moments—including the passage of the Affordable Care Act, pandemic response, and the formation of the January 6 Select Committee—shows how women in senior staff positions can shape consequential policy and institutional responses during both routine and crisis situations.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th