As the 2024 United States (U.S.) presidential election cycle heats up, many controversial moments have happened within the past few days. From Donald Trump’s attempted assassination to Joe Biden dropping out of the election, one only wonders if there’s more to come. Nevertheless, what remains fascinating is one of the key contenders vying for the top job: Kamala Harris.
If elected, Kamala Harris will become the first black female president of the U.S. Her contesting for this position is already commendable enough, but who is this woman who seeks to become the next President of the United States?
1. Family roots
Kamala Harris, the current Vice President of the U.S. was born on October 20, 1964, to immigrant parents in California. Her mother, a breast cancer scientist from India is named Shyamala Gopalan. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2009. While her father, Donald Harris, immigrated to the U.S. from Japan to enroll at the University of California and study economics. Currently, he is a professor at Stanford University.
Furthermore, growing up, Kamala was exposed to both her African American side with her Indian-American roots. Traditionally, her name is pronounced “comma-la.” It means lotus flower which is a revered symbol of beauty and rebirth in Indian culture.
2. Educational background
Harris attended Howard University, a prestigious historically black college, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics. Later on, she became the first HBCU graduate to be elected as Vice President.
Likewise, Harris obtained a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law.
2. Rise to political power
Harris’s first involvement in politics was when she got elected as the District Attorney of San Francisco in 2004. She served in the role till 2011. Equally, she went on to become the Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017. She is the first woman, first African American, and first South Asian American to hold the position.
Similarly, Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing California in 2017. During the 2020 presidential election cycle, Harris launched her Democratic nomination campaign. Although she later withdrew, she was later selected by Joe Biden as his running mate.
In November 2020, Harris continued her history of firsts by becoming the first female, first African American, and first Asian American Vice President of the United States.
3. Personal life
In Kamala’s personal life, she has been married to Douglas Emhoff since 2014. He is an attorney with two children, Cole and Ella, from a previous marriage, who are now Harris’s stepchildren. Harris herself has no children of her own.
4. 2024 U.S. Presidential candidate
Following Joe Biden’s endorsement of Kamala Harris, she has gotten significant support from various sectors. This includes endorsements from notable politicians and celebrities. Some are Hillary Clinton, Cardi B, George Clooney, John Legend and many others.
READ ALSO: U.S. election, Biden bows to pressure, quits race
As Kamala Harris continues her quest for the White House, her background, political career, and personal life story will be under the microscope. It remains to be seen if the woman of many “firsts” will eventually win the election.
