Kamala Devi Harris is the 49th Vice President of the United States, a groundbreaking leader known for her “firsts.” She is the first female Vice President, the first Black Vice President, and the first person of South Asian heritage to hold this office, making her one of the most prominent and pioneering figures in American politics today. Harris, who serves alongside President Joe Biden, assumed office on January 20, 2021, and she is second in line to the presidency.
Early Life and Background
Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. Her parents were immigrants—her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was an Indian-born biomedical scientist focused on breast cancer research, and her father, Donald Harris, is a Jamaican-born economist and professor emeritus at Stanford University. Harris credits much of her identity, activism, and drive to her parents, who instilled in her the values of equality and justice. She spent her formative years both in the United States and in India, visiting her mother’s family, which helped her connect with her Indian heritage.
Education
Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C., where she studied political science and economics. This experience had a profound impact on her, and she often refers to Howard as one of the most formative chapters in her life. After Howard, she pursued her law degree at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Early Career and Rise in California Politics
After law school, Harris began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, eventually moving on to become the District Attorney of San Francisco in 2004. In this role, she implemented initiatives to reduce recidivism and emphasized rehabilitation over punishment for minor offenses. In 2010, she was elected as California’s Attorney General, becoming the first woman and first Black person to hold the position. As Attorney General, she focused on consumer protection, criminal justice reform, and environmental issues, garnering both praise and criticism for her balanced but sometimes cautious approach to progressive reforms.
U.S. Senate
In 2016, Harris was elected as a U.S. Senator from California, becoming the second Black woman and the first South Asian-American woman to serve in the Senate. During her time in the Senate, she sat on several important committees, including the Senate Judiciary Committee, where she became known for her sharp, incisive questioning style, particularly during high-profile hearings. Harris was a strong advocate for healthcare reform, environmental protection, immigration reform, and criminal justice reform.
2020 Presidential Run
In 2019, Kamala Harris announced her candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Her campaign started strong, drawing crowds with her message of justice and unity, though it eventually lost momentum, and she ended her bid in late 2019. However, her national profile had been elevated, and she was seen as a potential vice-presidential pick for the eventual Democratic nominee.
Vice Presidency
In August 2020, Joe Biden selected Kamala Harris as his running mate, and they won the November 2020 election. Harris was sworn in as Vice President on January 20, 2021. Her role has included a focus on key issues like addressing the root causes of migration from Central America, voting rights, and spearheading the administration’s efforts on COVID-19 relief and economic recovery.
Legacy and Impact
Kamala Harris’s rise to the vice presidency has made history and serves as an inspiration to many, especially young women and people of color. She is seen as a strong advocate for marginalized communities and has consistently spoken on issues related to racial justice, gender equity, and opportunity for all Americans.
Her historic role is emblematic of America’s diversity and the ongoing push for representation at the highest levels of government. Harris’s career path—from district attorney to Vice President—has been marked by significant achievements, resilience, and a dedication to justice, making her one of the most influential political figures in the United States today.