On Tuesday night, the United States witnessed history.

While George W. Bush stood at the rostrum in the Capitol to deliver his State of the Union, a woman sat in the speaker's chair for the first time ever. And it was a long overdue sight.

Whether you support House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's politics or not, everyone can agree that her ascension to the speakership was a momentous occasion. Never before has a woman been so close to the U.S. presidency. And really, it's about darn time.

Pelosi is the daughter of Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr., who represented Baltimore for five terms in Congress. She was house Democratic whip before being selected as minority leader where she helped orchestrate the Democrats' congressional victory.

Really, she's one tough lady.

But history won't judge her based on her previous accomplishments. She will forever be judged by what she does as the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Will she be able to control the membership? Will she be able to maintain a Democratic hold on the House? Will she be a strong leader?

Then there are the picky criticisms that she will simply face because she is a woman. Some might question whether she is strong enough to hold that position, whether she can make the tough calls, whether she is too emotional.

And if they don't like her, she will face some of the criticism Hillary Clinton has received since her husband accepted a job in the White House in 1992. Writers, voters and GOPers have vilified Hillary for being strong and independent.

You know you have those friends who claim they will move to Canada if Hillary wins.

Will Nancy Pelosi face that same fate?

The new speaker will have to walk a very fine line in her new job. Be too kind, and she will be seen as soft. Be too harsh, and she will be vilified.

Most residents who live inside the beltway already perceive her as extremely qualified and tough. She's not a woman to mess with. But now, she's on a bigger stage.

As speaker, she will be in charge of setting the agenda for U.S. policy. She is the most powerful woman in the country.

And she is making history. Whether she succeeds or fails and whether the country likes her or not, she is telling the country that women can be Speaker of the House too.

Little girls watching the news will see someone they can identify with, someone who looks like their grandmother, not their grandfather.

Their grandfathers have served this country dutifully. They have worked hard to promote the ideals of the Constitution. And they have done it well.

But, it's time to watch the mothers and grandmothers of the world.