By Macy Meinhardt Voice & Viewpoint Staff Writer
The Kamala Harris campaign for the 2024 Presidential Election has been a fast moving train since the day Joe Biden stepped down and endorsed the current Vice President in late July. Her representation in this race has gained widespread attention in the political media, as she could become the first Woman of Color to break the glass ceiling into the presidency.
“Sometimes people will open the door for you and leave it open and sometimes they won’t, and then you need to kick that f*cking door down! Excuse my language,” said Harris, during an Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Summit, in May 2024.
Harris has definitely earned her rise to VP. From the bottom to the top, here is a quick rundown of her resume:
- Undergraduate Years: Graduated from Howard University, the oldest HBCU, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics & Political Science
Chaired the economics society, led the debate team, worked as mailroom clerk for California Senator Alan Cranston, and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority,
- Law degree: Graduated from University of California Hastings College of Law,
Served as president of UC Hastings College of Law Black Law Students Association
- Deputy District Attorney: Alameda County
Specialized in prosecuting child sexual assault, homicide, and robbery cases
- Assistant District Attorney — Chief of the Career Criminal Division: San Francisco (1998 – 2000)
Prosecuted three strikes cases and serial felony offenders
- Family and Children’s Services Division Lead at San Francisco City Hall (2000-2003)
Focused on child abuse and neglect cases
- District Attorney of San Francisco (2004-2011)
First woman to be elected to this seat and the first Black and South Asian American woman to hold the office.
Established San Francisco’s first Environmental Justice Unit,
created state-of-the-art program to provide first-time drug offenders with the opportunity to earn a high school degree and find employment
- Attorney General of California— (2011 – 2017)
First female, Black and South Asian Attorney General in the state’s history.
Oversaw the largest state justice department in the country
Reached a multi-billion dollar deal with five U.S. banks that settled over flawed mortgage foreclosure practices, providing relief to those affected by those practices
Launched a first-of-its-kind law enforcement training on implicit bias and procedural justice in an effort to allow for more neutral policing.
- United States Senator (2017-2021)
Served on key committees such as Judiciary Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
- President of the US Senate (2021-Present)
Set a record for the most tie-breaking votes cast by a VP in history
Presided over vote to confirm Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court
- Vice President of the United States (2021-Present)
Vice President Kamala Harris’ bid for president has sent a ripple across the American political landscape and energized voters, sparking a remarkable uptick in the Democratic party’s enthusiasm and energy for the high stakes election.
As of press time, there are 60 days until the election. Stay tuned for our additional coverage on Harris and the upcoming Presidential Election in our 2024 Black Voters series.
“When we organize, mountains move. When we mobilize, nations change. When we vote, we make history. Let’s get to work.” said Harris.
Are you planning to vote? Let us know in our Black Voters Survey at the link: HERE
