Kamala Harris, the 49th Vice President of the United States, was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. She is the first female, African American, and South Asian American to hold this position. Harris’ parents, Shyamala Gopalan, an Indian-American cancer researcher, and Donald Harris, a Jamaican-American economist, divorced when she was young, and she was nurtured mostly by her mother.
Harris graduated from Howard University, a historically black university, with degrees in political science and economics. She later earned a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law (Wikipedia). Harris began her legal career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and later served in the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office before being elected District Attorney of San Francisco in 2003. During her term, she spearheaded projects for criminal justice reform and environmental justice.
Harris was elected as California’s Attorney General in 2010, making her the first woman and African American to hold the position. She was recognized for her contributions to criminal justice reform, consumer protection, and environmental laws. In 2016, she was elected to the United States Senate, representing California. As a senator, Harris received national notoriety for her insightful questioning in Senate hearings and her advocacy on healthcare, immigration, and criminal justice reform.
Harris sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 but withdrew before the primaries. Joe Biden subsequently chose her as his running partner. The Biden-Harris ticket won the election; Harris was sworn in as Vice President on January 20, 2021.
As Vice President, Harris has prioritized several crucial topics, including women’s rights, voting rights, and environmental justice. She has played a vital role in diplomatic efforts, representing the US on multiple foreign travels and engaging with global leaders to establish ties.
Harris has been a trailblazer throughout her career, breaking down obstacles to promote justice and equality. She remains a key player in American politics, working with President Biden to address the country’s most serious concerns.
