- By Ritesh Kumar
- Mon, 04 Nov 2024 05:48 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Kamala Harris Biography: Kamala Harris has solidified her status as a pioneering figure in American politics, achieving numerous milestones throughout her inspiring journey. She is the first woman, as well as the first African American, South Asian, and person of Indian descent, to hold the office of Vice President of the United States. From her early days as a student leader to her current role as the Democratic presidential nominee following Joe Biden's endorsement after his withdrawal from the 2024 race, Harris's journey is a testament to her groundbreaking achievements. Here, you can explore Kamala Harris's educational background, business career, political journey, and early life.
Early Life And Background
Kamala Devi Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, to immigrant parents. Now 60 years old, Harris grew up in a multicultural environment that blended her African American and Indian heritage. Raised in the diverse Bay Area, she experienced various cultures and communities, which greatly shaped her worldview and political perspective.
Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a distinguished breast cancer researcher from Chennai who emigrated to the United States in the 1960s to pursue a PhD at the University of California, Berkeley. Her father, Donald Harris, originally from Jamaica, is a respected economist and professor emeritus at Stanford University. Both parents were actively involved in civil rights movements, and their commitment to social justice profoundly influenced Harris's personal and professional development.
Although her parents divorced when she was young, Harris maintained strong connections to her Jamaican and Indian roots. She often reminisces about her summer trips to India, where she was deeply inspired by her maternal grandfather, a retired civil servant, and her visits to her grandmother, who advocates for women's rights in her community.
Kamala Harris: Education And Career Journey
Kamala Harris earned her undergraduate degree from Howard University, majoring in political science and economics. She then attended UC Hastings College of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctor in 1989.
Harris began her legal career as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, focusing on cases related to violent crime, particularly sexual assault and child abuse. Her ascent in the legal field was rapid. In 2003, she was elected as the District Attorney of San Francisco, becoming the first woman and the first African American to hold the position. During her tenure, she implemented several progressive reforms, including a reentry program designed to reduce recidivism and enhance opportunities for offenders to reintegrate into society.
In 2011, Harris was elected as California's Attorney General, making history as the first woman and person of color to occupy that role. As Attorney General, she addressed significant issues such as environmental protection, consumer rights, and marriage equality, while also facing criticism regarding her approach to law enforcement policies.
Kamala Harris: Political Career
Kamala Harris's political career started when she was elected as the US Senator from California in 2016, succeeding Barbara Boxer.
In 2019, she announced her candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination. Although her campaign concluded before the primaries, her influence on the political landscape was significant. In August 2020, Joe Biden selected her as his running mate, making history as the first woman of South Asian and African American descent nominated for Vice President by a major political party.
On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the United States, marking a historic moment as the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history. Her vice presidency has been characterised by her leadership on critical issues such as economic recovery, voting rights, and foreign policy. She has played a pivotal role in the Biden administration's efforts to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic and revitalise the economy.
As the Democratic presidential nominee for the 2024 US presidential election, Kamala Harris will be running alongside Tim Walz as her running mate, facing off against Republican candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance.
