As the Democrats officially took control of Congress last week following a bitter midterm election, they also made the historic decision to elect Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the House — the first woman ever to hold the position.

While the significance of her election is undeniable (and more than a little pathetic, given that it took until 2007 for the United States to elect a female speaker, while countries in Latin America and Africa have had female heads of state for years), it's important that her gender doesn't overshadow the woman herself or the immediate political implications of her election.

Other than bringing long-overdue gender equality to the American political landscape, Pelosi's election to the speaker position is another sign of the voting public's dissatisfaction with the current administration and the status quo.

Her public disagreements with President Bush on topics ranging from domestic issues to the war in Iraq were covered extensively by the press, and her willingness to stand up to authority not only was an asset to the Democrats in the last election, but also will serve her well in her new position.

However, it is important that Pelosi bears in mind that the results of the midterm election were not ardently pro-Democrat, but anti-Republican. After the rancor and partisanship dredged up last year, the most important thing Pelosi can do is extend an olive branch across the aisle and work with Republicans to bring about reform and change to Congress, and America itself, which it so desperately needs.

Only a few short days after taking her post, Pelosi has taken large steps in that direction. The House has adopted new rules regarding ethical guidelines for Representatives, such as banning lobbyists from giving gifts, tickets and meals to either Reps or their staff. The new rules also prevent lobbyists from paying travel expenses for lawmakers or allowing them to fly on corporately owned jets.

If Pelosi and the Democrats continue this trend of reform and persist in attempting to enact change in a bipartisan manner, without entirely capitulating to the will of the Republicans or President Bush, this new Congress may actually be able to make a difference in the American political landscape.

If that happens, Pelosi being the first female speaker of the House may not be the most historically significant change to Congress after all.