Kamala Harris is the first woman, first African American and first Asian American vice president in the history of the United States. Her motto is, “You may be the first, but make sure you’re not the last.” Harris was born in Oakland, California on October 20, 1964, to Indian American immigrant and breast cancer researcher, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan and Jamaica-born Donald Harris, an emeritus professor of economics at Stanford. The couple met as doctoral students at the University of California at Berkeley in the fall of 1962 and married a year later. They divorced in 1972.
As a toddler she would chant along with her parents as the protested in Berkley. Her interest in politics may have begun when she was 13 and living in Montreal. She and her younger sister, Maya, led a successful demonstration in front of their apartment building in protest of a policy that banned children from playing on the lawn.
More Interesting Facts about Kamala Harris
Her favorite books include Native Son by Richard Wright, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. She has also written three books including one children’s book.
Kamala loves to cook and shared her recipe for cornbread dressing on her Twitter account last November.
But mostly, Kamala Harris is a trailblazer for women, African-Americans and Asian Americans. She’s been “the first” to do multiple things. From 2004 to 2010, Harris served as the first woman District Attorney in San Francisco’s history. She was also the first African American woman and South Asian American woman in California to hold the office. After completing two terms in the role, she was then elected as the first African American and first woman to serve as California’s Attorney General.
Vice President Harris campaign colors were yellow, red and blue. This was her nod to the campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for president from a major party.
I’ve admired Joe Biden for decades. Full stop. When there was even a glimmer of a discussion of who would run against Cheetolini in 2020? I supported Joe Biden because I felt that whomever took over for said Cheetolini would need experience to walk into the Oval Office and know what fires needed to be stomped out first. No one other eligible person had that experience more than Joe Biden, in part thanks the the relationship between Biden and Obama.
But then the Khive had me looking at Kamala. Such a strong woman, a strong record, all that. People made hay of the debate with Biden where she mentioned she WAS one of those kids impacted by desegregation.
My dad and I had a discussion about that. Joe and my dad were born in the same year. Kamala is slightly older than I am, but she definitely has the Gen X vibe.
My dad thinks her scoring points off of him in that debate hurt and surprised him because of (a) her relationship with Beau and (b) Joe admires her and her skillset.
I think that sealed the deal as his VP pick. He MEANS IT when he said his VP would be the last person out of the room. That he wanted someone as a team player, a partner, someone who would check him and give a different perspectie
I’m a HUGE fan of hers. And DOUG! Extraordinary first Second Gentleman!!!!
she is so happy doing her job, like on a cloud, and its contagious, her laughter is so sincere.
I’m really enjoying your Black History Month posts. Thank you!
Me too!
Guessing Shirley Chisholm and Barbara Jordan will be soon!
Canada LOVES Kamala too! Some more facts…
Vice-President Kamala Harris attended Westmount High School when she lived in Montreal from 1978-1981.
Harris temporarily moved to Montreal with her family when she was 12 years old. She attended FACE School before moving to Westmount High, where she graduated in 1981.
Kamala Harris is South Asian and African American.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe she’s Jamaican not African American. Not that it matters just saying. Wish Judge Sotomayor hadn’t mispronounced her name at her inauguration.
Well, Cindy, this is going to shock you but she is an American. A black American (African American) with a Jamaican and Indian ancestry. Most Jamaicans have African heritage. She is both the first African American, and Asian American and woman, vice-president.
Thanks for that. She actually was born in the US and therefore qualifies as an American of African decent, as the Caribbean islands were well known drop off points for the slave trade for North America.
Great post, thanks for sharing. I am intrigued to know more about her. And this is one of the beautiful thing I like about this site, the ability to diverse & keep us entertained.
Kite Runner, was an amazing movie…think 10/12 yrs ago.
Watched the movie first, then had to read the book. Don’t usually do that, but I knew the movie was missing pieces I needed to know.
I am coming in from the cold after years of lurking in the shadows to thank you Tamara for your Black History Month Spotlight posts. I love your choices so far. I am also looking forward to the day that you begin a travel blog. I will be there for that.
If that day ever comes. I have to wait for COVID to end and Banjo to um… go to doggie heaven. We are very co-dependent and I don’t generally leave him for more than an hour at a time…