KAMALA HARRIS

Kamala Harris is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. As the 49th and current Vice President of the United States, she has shattered glass ceilings and paved the way for future generations of women, African Americans, and Asian Americans in politics.

Early life and education

Born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, Harris grew up in a family of strong, independent women. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a biologist who immigrated to the United States from India, while her father, Donald J. Harris, was an Afro-Jamaican economist ¹. Harris's parents instilled in her a sense of justice and compassion, values that would shape her future career.

Harris attended Howard University, a historically black college, where she graduated with a degree in political science and economics ¹. She then went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the University of California's Hastings College of the Law.

Rise to prominence

Harris began her law career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California. She quickly made a name for herself as a fierce and formidable prosecutor. In 2003, she was elected District Attorney of San Francisco, becoming the first woman, African American, and Asian American to hold the office.

In 2010, Harris was elected Attorney General of California, a position she held until 2017 ¹. During her tenure, she focused on consumer protection, criminal justice reform, and privacy rights.

United States Senate and Vice Presidency

In 2016, Harris was elected to the United States Senate, becoming the second Black woman and first South Asian American to hold the office ¹. As a senator, she advocated for stricter gun control laws, the DREAM Act, and federal legalization of cannabis.

In 2020, Joe Biden selected Harris as his running mate, and together they won the presidential election ¹. Harris became the first woman, African American, and Asian American to hold the office of Vice President.

2024 Presidential Election

After Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election, Harris launched her own campaign, with Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, as her running mate ¹. As the Democratic Party's nominee, Harris is poised to make history once again.

Throughout her career, Kamala Harris has demonstrated unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights. As she continues to break barriers and shape the future of American politics, her legacy will inspire generations to come.