Jonah Patel
Kamala Harris is a groundbreaking politician who has served in a variety of roles, including Vice President of the United States. Harris made history as the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected Vice President. Her leadership style is characterized by compassion, determination, and a deep commitment to public service. As Vice President, Harris led efforts on voting rights, immigration reform, and addressing the root causes of migration. She played a crucial role in promoting the administration's agenda on climate change, healthcare, and economic recovery. Harris also engaged with world leaders and advocated for global cooperation on pressing issues. In addition, she focused on job creation through investment in small businesses and community banks. Harris has faced challenges, including a polarized political environment and high expectations as a trailblazer and role model. However, her resilience and determination have helped her navigate these obstacles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kamala Devi Harris |
| Born | 20 October 1964, Oakland, California |
| Parents | Shyamala Gopalan (breast cancer scientist and biologist) and Donald J. Harris (economist) |
| Education | Vanier College in Montreal, Howard University, University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco |
| Career | Lawyer, District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California, United States Senator, Vice President |
| Achievements as VP | Led the fight for women's bodily autonomy, freedom from gun violence, freedom to vote, and access to clean water and air; created 16 million jobs; achieved the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years; achieved lower costs for families and increased incomes; supported small businesses; supported labour unions; supported safer workplaces; supported fair wages for agricultural and domestic workers; supported legislation to address workplace violence in healthcare and social service settings; supported the American Rescue Plan of 2021; supported the Protecting the Right to Organise (PRO) Act |
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What You'll Learn
Led the fight for women's freedom
Kamala Harris has had a trailblazing career, serving as the Vice President of the United States, a US Senator, and Attorney General of California, among other roles. Throughout her career, Harris has been committed to fighting for the rights and freedoms of all people, especially women.
As Vice President, Harris has led the fight for women's freedom on several fronts. She has been a strong advocate for women's reproductive rights, including the freedom for women to make decisions about their own bodies. She has also worked to protect women from gun violence and ensure their safety in the face of workplace violence in healthcare and social service settings. Harris has been a champion of working women, supporting fair wages and labor protections, and breaking down barriers for workers forming unions.
In addition to her work on women's issues, Harris has also been a crucial part of a pro-labor administration, breathing new life into domestic manufacturing and establishing an industrial policy. She has attended meetings and forums to hear from workers directly and has taken charge of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment. As a US Senator, she cast a critical tie-breaking vote to advance the American Rescue Plan of 2021, which saved the pensions of 120,000 active and retired union members.
Harris has also been a strong supporter of civil rights and social justice throughout her career. As the daughter of immigrants and civil rights activists, she was instilled with a commitment to building strong coalitions and fighting for the rights and freedoms of all people. She has continued this work as Vice President, representing the nation abroad and meeting with world leaders to strengthen global alliances.
Kamala Harris's career has been marked by a dedication to fighting for the rights and freedoms of women and all people, and she has continued this work during her time as Vice President, leaving a lasting impact on the country and the world.
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Supported small business growth
As Vice President, Kamala Harris played a crucial role in supporting small business growth. During her time in office, the country experienced the four strongest years of small business growth on record, with a record 20 million new small business applications.
Harris actively participated in supporting small businesses, such as when she and her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, shopped at Bold Fork Books in Northwest D.C. on Small Business Saturday in 2024. This event highlighted the importance of shopping local and supporting small businesses, particularly those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Harris also worked closely with President Joe Biden to create economic opportunities and lower costs for families, which contributed to the favourable environment for small business growth. Their joint efforts resulted in increased incomes and a record number of new small business applications.
Additionally, Harris has a track record of supporting workers' rights, which is integral to the success of small businesses. She has been a strong advocate for safer workplaces, fighting for legislation to address workplace violence and championing labour protections and fair wages for all workers, including agricultural and domestic workers.
Harris's commitment to empowering workers and creating economic opportunities has undoubtedly contributed to the growth and success of small businesses across the country during her vice presidency.
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Represented the US abroad
Kamala Devi Harris, the first female, first African-American, and first Asian-American Vice President of the United States, has represented the nation abroad by embarking on 17 foreign trips, travelling to 21 countries, and meeting with over 150 world leaders. She has been a trusted partner to President Joe Biden, working together to deliver significant achievements that have positively impacted the lives of millions of Americans.
One notable instance of Vice President Harris representing the US abroad was her participation in a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine in February 2024. During her time in office, she has also played a crucial role in advancing economic opportunities, creating a record 16 million jobs, reducing unemployment rates, and fostering small business growth.
In addition to her foreign trips, Vice President Harris has a long history of public service and a commitment to fighting for the rights and freedoms of the people. She has served as District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California, and a United States Senator. As a senator, she championed working people, supported vital legislation, and fought for labor protections, fair wages, and safer workplaces.
Vice President Harris has also been an advocate for social justice and civil rights. Growing up in a diverse community as the daughter of immigrants, she was inspired by her mother's work as a breast cancer scientist and her parents' active participation in the civil rights movement. She has carried these values into her political career, fighting for the freedom of women to make decisions about their bodies, the freedom to live safe from gun violence, the freedom to vote, and the freedom to access clean water and air.
Furthermore, Vice President Harris has broken barriers throughout her career. As the first woman and person of colour to hold the vice presidency, she embodies her mother's advice: "Kamala, you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you're not the last." She has navigated political challenges and worked to bring people together to advance opportunities and deliver results for families across the country.
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Participated in a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
On Saturday, February 17, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris participated in a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine at the Commerzbank in Munich. This marked a significant moment in the ongoing global dialogue and response to the crisis in Ukraine.
In the press conference, Vice President Harris stood in solidarity with Ukraine and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. She emphasized the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific and highlighted the impact of Russia's invasion on global stability and security. Vice President Harris also announced additional security assistance to Ukraine, including defensive lethal aid, which would help Ukraine maintain its self-defence capabilities.
During the joint press conference, Vice President Harris and President Zelenskyy addressed the media and answered questions regarding the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. They discussed the impact of the war on global food security and energy prices, as well as the international community's efforts to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for its actions.
Vice President Harris expressed her admiration for the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people and assured them that the world stood united in its support for Ukraine's freedom and democracy. She reaffirmed the United States' dedication to upholding international law and maintaining a rules-based order, emphasizing that Russia's aggression would not go unchecked.
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Fought for labor protections
As Vice President, Kamala Harris has been a strong advocate for labor protections and fair wages for workers. She has fought for the rights and freedoms of workers, including those in the agricultural and domestic sectors.
Harris has a track record of supporting labor rights and unions. As a U.S. Senator, she championed working people and supported vital legislation, including the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. She also took charge of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, which aimed to break down barriers for workers forming unions.
As President of the U.S. Senate, Harris cast critical tie-breaking votes that advanced the American Rescue Plan of 2021, saving the pensions of 120,000 active and retired USW members. She has attended meetings, forums, and conventions to hear from and speak to union members, demonstrating her commitment to labor rights.
Harris has also been a crucial part of the most pro-labor administration in recent times, breathing new life into domestic manufacturing and establishing the nation's first industrial policy in decades. She has walked the picket line with striking UAW workers, showing solidarity with their cause. As California's Attorney General, she cracked down on corporate greed, took on big banks, and defended vulnerable workers against wage theft, further highlighting her dedication to labor protections.
Kamala Harris's efforts as Vice President have had a significant impact on labor protections and workers' rights, demonstrating her commitment to fighting for the people and ensuring fair treatment and wages for all workers.
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Frequently asked questions
As the first woman, first Black, and first South Asian Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris took on several significant responsibilities. She led efforts on voting rights, immigration reform, and addressing the root causes of migration. Harris also played a crucial role in promoting the administration's agenda on climate change, healthcare, and economic recovery.
Kamala Harris has had many achievements as Vice President. She set a new record for the most tie-breaking Senate votes cast by a VP in history, expanded the Child Tax Credit to cut child poverty in half, and provided $450 billion in relief to 6 million small businesses. She also led the push for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act, sponsored legislation to expand and strengthen Social Security, and led the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis.
Kamala Harris was the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election. She earned the votes of 75 million Americans in the shortest general election presidential campaign in modern American history. Harris ultimately lost the election to the Republican nominees, former president Trump and Ohio senator JD Vance.
Before becoming Vice President, Kamala Harris served as California's Attorney General from 2011 to 2016 and as a US Senator from 2017 to 2020. She also has a background in law, having worked as a prosecutor in Oakland and serving as District Attorney of San Francisco from 2004 to 2010.
