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Vice President Kamala Harris fought with a relentless determination to become the first woman, first Black, and first South Asian American Vice President of the United States—a victory that reflected the same grit she put forth in her historic bid for the presidency. Reaching such heights takes not only ambition but an unwavering resolve to rise above fear, doubt, and opposition.
Harris has made history at nearly every stage of her career, from becoming the first female District Attorney of San Francisco in 2004 to serving as California’s first African American and South Asian Attorney General in 2010. In her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in August, Kamala shared the story of her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, who moved from India to California at 19 to pursue a master’s degree. Gopalan would go on to become a groundbreaking breast cancer researcher whose work contributed to the development of several life-saving treatments.
“My mother was a brilliant, five-foot-tall, brown woman with an accent. And as the eldest child, I saw how the world would sometimes treat her,” Harris recalled, drawing a deep connection between her mother’s resilience and her own career journey.
Being the first is never easy. Throughout her presidential campaign, Kamala faced relentless scrutiny—her integrity was questioned, her authority undermined, and her race and accomplishments mocked. Yet, she continued to rise, unshaken by the ridicule. Her loss to former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election was a heartbreaking moment for millions of Americans yearning for change. But even in that defeat, Kamala’s resolve remained firm. In her concession speech on Nov. 6, she vowed to continue fighting for equality and justice for all Americans.
“The fight — the fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness, and the dignity of all people…. That is a fight I will never give up,” the V.P. said with conviction. “I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions, and aspirations, where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies and not have their government telling them what to do. We will never give up the fight to protect our schools and our streets from gun violence. And America, we will never give up the fight for our democracy, for the rule of law, for equal justice, and for the sacred idea that every one of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, has certain fundamental rights and freedoms that must be respected and upheld.”
Harris has already made history, but her journey is far from over. As she continues to lead, inspire, and push for progress, her story is one of perseverance, courage, and the unyielding belief that no matter the obstacles, the fight for a better, more inclusive future must go on. Here are nine historic milestones that highlight Kamala Harris’ trailblazing journey in politics and beyond.
1. First Female District Attorney of San Francisco
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In 2004, Kamala Harris made history as the first woman and first African American District Attorney of San Francisco, marking the start of a distinguished legal career. Known for her tough yet fair approach, she became a leading advocate for criminal justice reform. One of her key initiatives was a program aimed at reducing truancy, which included prosecuting parents of chronically absent students, according to Democrats Abroad. This effort led to a significant drop in truancy rates. Additionally, Harris took a strong stand against hate crimes, creating specialized units within the DA’s office to investigate and prosecute these offenses, demonstrating her commitment to justice and equality for all communities.
2. The First Female Vice President
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Harris made history by becoming the first woman to serve as Vice President of the United States, following the election of Joe Biden in November 2020. She is also the first woman of color, the first African American, and the first South Asian American to hold the office.
Harris thanked her mother during her victory speech. “To the woman most responsible for my presence here today, my mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, who is always in our hearts,” she said. “When she came here from India at the age of 19, she maybe didn’t quite imagine this moment, but she believed so deeply in an America where a moment like this is possible.”
3. First African American and South Asian Attorney General of California
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In 2010, Kamala Harris made history once again, becoming the first woman, first African American, and first South Asian Attorney General of California. In this groundbreaking role, she used her platform to advocate for critical criminal justice reforms, support marriage equality, and protect consumers, earning widespread recognition for her leadership and commitment to justice.
One of her significant achievements was her involvement in the Mortgage Crisis Settlement in 2012, where she played a pivotal role in negotiating a $25 billion settlement for California homeowners as part of a nationwide agreement with banks over foreclosure abuses. Additionally, Harris launched several criminal justice reforms, including initiatives to reduce recidivism by focusing on education and job training for low-level offenders. Programs like “Back on Track” were designed to provide support and opportunities for individuals to reintegrate into society successfully, further underscoring her commitment to reforming the justice system.
4. The First South Asian Senator of California
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In 2017, Harris made history as the first woman of South Asian heritage to serve as a U.S. Senator from California. Her election marked a major milestone in her career and solidified her position as a powerful advocate for equality, justice, and civil rights at the federal level. Throughout her time in the Senate, Harris demonstrated strong leadership on critical issues, including criminal justice reform. She co-sponsored the First Step Act, a bipartisan bill that sought to reduce mandatory minimum sentences for certain non-violent offenses, helping to address mass incarceration.
Additionally, Harris was a vocal proponent of racial justice and equality, tirelessly advocating for police reform. Following the tragic death of George Floyd, she sponsored the Justice in Policing Act, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at holding law enforcement accountable and addressing systemic racism in policing. Harris’s work in the Senate has made her a leading voice for change on some of the most pressing issues facing the nation.
5. Champion for Marriage Equality
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As California’s Attorney General, Kamala Harris refused to defend California’s Proposition 8, a law banning same-sex marriage, which led to a landmark case that ultimately legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Her decision to stand against Proposition 8 was pivotal in the fight for marriage equality in the U.S., according to the Advocate.
6. Strong Advocate for Reproductive Rights
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Kamala Harris has been a staunch advocate for reproductive rights, particularly in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. As Vice President, she has consistently spoken out to protect access to abortion and women’s healthcare, stressing the need for federal protections to safeguard reproductive rights for all Americans.
In 2022, Harris hosted the first federal Maternal Health Day of Action at the White House, highlighting the administration’s efforts to address maternal health disparities. Glaad noted that the federal budget proposal included a historic allocation of half a billion dollars aimed at reducing maternal mortality and morbidity rates, along with new training for healthcare providers to address implicit bias.
“The more we can elevate this issue, I think the more we will accomplish that, which is to let women know that when it comes to their reproductive health when it comes to their pregnancy, and anything that they are experiencing in connection with that, they do not have to suffer,” Harris said at the time.
7. The ‘Smart on Crime’ Initiative
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As California’s Attorney General, Harris championed the “Smart on Crime” one of the first initiatives to tackle crime in the state. With a progressive approach to criminal justice reform, the bill focused on rehabilitation rather than punitive measures. The program also aimed to reduce recidivism, improve reentry programs for former inmates, and address racial disparities within the criminal justice system.
8. Oversight of the First White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention
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In September 2023, President Joe Biden established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, with Vice President Harris at the helm. The initiative was part of the Biden-Harris administration’s broader effort to address the growing crisis of gun violence in America. The initiative builds upon previous actions, such as the signing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which enacts key measures like raising the age limit for firearm purchases, expanding mental health services in schools, and providing funding for community-based violence intervention programs.
