Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris Vice Presidential Portrait

Kamala Devi Harris (born October 20, 1964) is an American politician and attorney serving as the 49th Vice President of the United States, making history as the first female vice president and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, as well as the first African American and first Asian American vice president. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the junior United States senator from California from 2017 to 2021 before assuming the vice presidency under President Joe Biden.

Early Life and Education

Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, California, to a Tamil Indian mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist, and a Jamaican father, Donald Harris, an economics professor. She grew up in Berkeley, California, with her younger sister, Maya. Harris' parents divorced when she was seven, and her mother raised her and her sister. She was exposed to both Hindu and Baptist faiths.

Harris attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she majored in political science and economics. After Howard, she returned to California, earning her Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 1989.

Career

Early Career

After passing the bar in 1990, Harris began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, where she focused on prosecuting child sexual assault cases. From there, she went on to work at the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and later the City Attorney of San Francisco's office.

San Francisco District Attorney

In 2003, Harris was elected as the District Attorney of San Francisco. She was the first person of color to be elected to this position in San Francisco. During her tenure, she created a program that gives first-time drug offenders the chance to earn a high school diploma and find employment.

California Attorney General

In 2010, Harris was elected as the Attorney General of California, becoming the first female, the first African American, and the first South Asian American to hold the office. She was re-elected in 2014. As Attorney General, Harris focused on issues such as the foreclosure crisis, marriage equality, and criminal justice reform.

U.S. Senate

Harris was elected to the United States Senate in 2016, succeeding retiring Senator Barbara Boxer. She served on several committees, including the Judiciary Committee, where she gained national attention for her questioning of Trump administration officials and nominees.

Vice Presidency

In 2020, Joe Biden selected Kamala Harris as his running mate, and they won the election against the incumbent, President Donald Trump. As Vice President, Harris has focused on a wide range of issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic response, immigration, and climate change.

Personal Life

Kamala Harris is married to Douglas Emhoff, who is the first Second Gentleman in American history. She is a stepmother to his two children from a previous marriage.

Legacy and Impact

Harris' vice presidency is historic in multiple dimensions, representing a significant breakthrough for women, African Americans, and Asian Americans in the realm of American politics. Her career is marked by her commitment to justice and equality, influencing future generations of politicians.