McKaylan Connolly ’23
EE Staff Writer
On Wednesday, January 20th, 2021, Kamala Devi Harris was sworn in as the Vice President of the United States in front of the U.S. Capitol by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. This makes her the highest-ranking woman in United States political history. Vice President Harris commemorated Inauguration Day as a day of many firsts. Kamala Harris is the first ever woman Vice President, breaking the glass ceiling by holding a position held by men since the start of our democracy. Not only is Harris the first woman holding the nation’s second-highest office, but also the first Black woman and person of South Asian descent to hold the position.
Harris started her education at Howard University. She then went on to earn her law degree at the University of California, Hastings. She began her career at the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and became the top prosecutor for San Francisco in 2003. Then, she started her political career when she was elected Attorney General of California in 2010, becoming the first woman and the first black person to serve as California’s attorney general. She was even re-elected to the post in 2014. Harris then went on to serve as the junior United States senator from California from 2017 to 2021. She made a name for herself in Washington with her bold prosecutorial techniques in Senate hearings, and slammed her adversaries at prudent moments that at times went viral. On January 21, 2019, Harris officially announced her candidacy for president of the United States in the 2020 United States presidential election. However, she eventually withdrew from seeking the 2020 Democratic nomination and became President Joe Biden’s running mate.
Kamala’s position is significant in more ways than one. By holding the position of Vice President, Kamala has expanded the role of women and racial diversity in politics and government. Millions of people who have never seen such representation in this country will now see themselves reflected in one of the country’s highest-ranking leaders. Her position in office is even more relevant in a time where the nation is grappling over institutional racism and the disproportionate effects that COVID-19 has on black and brown communities.
Kamala brings a notion of hope to a variety of communities and starts a legacy for many to follow. As she stated herself, “While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last.”