Kamala Harris: The Making of a History-Making Vice President
On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris was inaugurated as the 49th Vice President of the United States, making history as the first woman, the first African American, and the first person of South Asian descent to hold the office. Her journey to the White House was one marked by tenacity, dedication, and a strong commitment to public service.
Born in Oakland, California, in 1964, Harris grew up with a deep sense of social justice instilled in her by her parents, who were both immigrants from India and Jamaica. She went on to attend Howard University, a historically black college in Washington D.C., before earning her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
After law school, Harris began her career as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, where she quickly gained a reputation for her tough stance on crime and her commitment to justice for victims. She went on to serve as the District Attorney of San Francisco and later as the Attorney General of California, where she tackled issues ranging from consumer protection to criminal justice reform.
In 2016, Harris was elected to the United States Senate, becoming only the second African American woman to do so. During her time in the Senate, Harris was a vocal advocate for progressive policies, including healthcare reform, immigrant rights, and criminal justice reform. She also served on several committees, including the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary.
Harris's 2020 campaign for the Democratic nomination for President was historic in its own right, as she was the first African American woman and the first person of South Asian descent to run for President on a major party ticket. Although her campaign ended before the Democratic National Convention, Harris was selected by President-elect Joe Biden as his running mate, making her the first woman of color to be nominated for Vice President by a major party.
As Vice President, Harris has already made history, casting the tie-breaking vote in the Senate to confirm the nomination of her fellow Californian, Alejandro Mayorkas, as Secretary of Homeland Security. She has also been tasked with leading the Biden administration's efforts to address the root causes of migration from Central America, an issue that has long vexed policymakers in Washington.
Kamala Harris's rise to the Vice Presidency is a testament to her hard work, her dedication to public service, and her unwavering commitment to justice and equality. Her historic achievement has inspired a new generation of young people, especially girls and women of color, to dream big and work hard to make their own mark on the world.
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