Kamala Harris: Trailblazing Vice President

Early Life and Education

Kamala Devi Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. Her parents, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, an Indian immigrant, and Donald Harris, a Jamaican immigrant, met while studying at the University of California, Berkeley.

Harris attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she earned a bachelor's degree in political science and economics in 1986. She then studied law at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, graduating in 1989.

Political Career

Early Beginnings

Harris began her legal career as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney's office. In 2003, she was elected District Attorney of San Francisco, becoming the city's first female district attorney and the first African American and South Asian American to hold the position.

Rise to Prominence

In 2010, Harris was elected Attorney General of California, the first woman and the first African American to hold the office. During her tenure, she focused on criminal justice reform, environmental protection, and consumer protection.

Harris gained national prominence as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. Her sharp questioning of Kavanaugh drew attention and praise from many Democrats.

Vice Presidency

In 2020, Harris was selected as Joe Biden's running mate in the presidential election. They were elected in November 2020, and Harris was sworn in as Vice President on January 20, 2021, becoming the first female, first African American, and first South Asian American to hold the office.

Legacy and Impact

Harris's career is marked by her commitment to social justice and her trailblazing achievements. She is a role model for many young people of color and women who aspire to careers in public service.