Kamala Harris, born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, became the first female Vice President of the United States. Her role in shaping U.S. politics is monumental and sprinkled with fascinating trivia.
First up, her name. Kamala means "lotus" in Sanskrit, and it's also another name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. Talk about divine intervention! Harris’s mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a breast cancer researcher from India, while her father, Donald Harris, hails from Jamaica and is an emeritus professor of economics at Stanford University.
Harris attended Howard University, a historically black college. Fun fact: she was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, which was the first Greek-lettered sorority established by African-American college women.
In 2003, Harris was elected as the District Attorney of San Francisco. She was the first woman, first African American, and first South Asian to hold this position. This triple-first streak continued when she became the Attorney General of California in 2010. A little-known fact: she once dated Montel Williams in the early 2000s.
Harris’s 2020 vice-presidential campaign featured a special playlist on Spotify titled "Get Up, Stand Up: The United State of Women," featuring tracks from Beyoncé and Tina Turner.
In office, Harris has been a crucial tie-breaker in the evenly split Senate. As of 2023, she's cast more than 25 tie-breaking votes, including ones on major legislation like the American Rescue Plan.
Moreover, Harris’s position has brought increased attention to issues like criminal justice reform and women's rights. She’s known for her fierce questioning style in Senate hearings, often leaving witnesses squirming. Remember her grilling of Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation?
Kamala Harris has authored multiple books, including "The Truths We Hold: An American Journey" and a children’s book titled "Superheroes Are Everywhere." The latter is a delightful read filled with inspirational stories.
One quirky tidbit: Harris is a foodie. She loves cooking and has shared her recipes for dishes like masala dosa and roast chicken. She's even known to text friends about the best cookware!
Kamala Harris has undeniably reshaped U.S. politics, breaking barriers and setting records with a smile that says, "I got this."