Feinstein presided over President Barack Obama’s first inauguration.
On January 20, 2009, Dianne Feinstein made history by becoming the first woman to preside over a U.S. presidential inauguration. As chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, she was tasked with overseeing the proceedings of President Barack Obama’s historic first inauguration.
This role was emblematic of her ability to lead national ceremonies and was a testament to her cross-party respect in the Senate. Feinstein's involvement underlined the historic nature of Obama’s inauguration and highlighted the breaking of another gender barrier in American government functions.