Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the first female speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, will speak Nov. 9 at Kansas University’s Dole Institute of Politics.

“As soon as she took the oath as speaker, (Pelosi) has had an invitation to come to the institute,” Dole Institute Interim Director Jonathan Earle said.

Earle said that while Bob Dole, the institute’s namesake, ran for president, his professional political life was about his time in the Congress. It always has been an emphasis to bring congressional leaders to the institute.

“This is a museum of legislators and legislating,” Earle said.

Earle said he has been in touch with Dole’s office about whether he might be able to attend the Pelosi speech, but he had not yet heard back. Dole last visited the institute in 2005.

Pelosi’s appearance, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the institute, will be part of a Midwest swing for the speaker that will also include appearances on behalf of local representatives.

Pelosi, who was elected House speaker in January, is scheduled to headline a fundraiser in the Kansas City area for U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., that evening.

The previously scheduled fundraiser accounts for Pelosi choosing an unusual time to make an appearance that is expected to draw a crowd. Most Dole Institute events happen in the evening.

Boyda has eschewed accepting donations from the Democratic National Committee, running as a Democrat in a district that gave about 60 percent of its votes to George W. Bush in 2004.

Pelosi’s speech, co-sponsored by the College Democrats of Kansas, is free and likely will include a question-and-answer session.

No tickets are required; the Dole Institute will open at 10 a.m. for those wishing to attend Pelosi’s speech.