Kamala Harris is a trailblazer in American politics. In 2021, she became the first woman, the first African American woman, and the first South Asian American woman to serve as Vice President of the United States. But her journey to the White House began long before she was sworn in as Vice President. In this view, we will explore the rise of Kamala Harris from Attorney General to Vice President of the United States.

Early Life and Career 

Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, California in 1964, to immigrant parents. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, was a cancer researcher from India, and her father, Donald Harris, was a professor of economics from Jamaica. Harris grew up in a predominantly African American neighborhood in Berkeley, California, and attended Howard University, a historically Black college in Washington, D.C.

After graduating from law school, Harris began her career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California. She later served as the managing attorney of the Career Criminal Unit in the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, where she specialized in prosecuting violent crimes.

In 2003, Harris was elected District Attorney of San Francisco, becoming the first woman, the first African American woman, and the first South Asian American woman to hold the position. She served as District Attorney for two terms, during which time she implemented several progressive reforms, including a program to provide first-time drug offenders with job training and other resources to help them avoid repeat offenses.

California Attorney General 

In 2010, Harris ran for California Attorney General and won, becoming the first woman and the first African American woman to hold the position. As Attorney General, Harris focused on issues such as consumer protection, environmental protection, and criminal justice reform.

One of the most significant accomplishments of Harris's tenure as Attorney General was the settlement she reached with five major banks over their foreclosure practices. The settlement provided over $20 billion in relief to California homeowners who were impacted by the foreclosure crisis.

Harris also made criminal justice reform a top priority during her time as Attorney General. She worked to reduce the state's prison population and advocated for reforms such as body cameras for law enforcement officers and diversion programs for low-level offenders.

United States Senate 

In 2016, Harris ran for the United States Senate and won, becoming the first African American woman and the first South Asian American woman to represent California in the Senate. During her time in the Senate, Harris served on several committees, including the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Judiciary Committee.

Harris quickly established herself as a vocal critic of the Trump administration and a champion for progressive causes. She opposed many of President Trump's nominees for key positions, including Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. She also advocated for criminal justice reform and sponsored several bills related to issues such as police accountability and juvenile justice.

2020 Vice Presidential Campaign 

In August 2020, Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for President, announced that Kamala Harris would be his running mate. Harris became the first woman of color to be on a major party ticket in American history.

During the campaign, Harris brought her experience as a prosecutor and a senator to the table and advocated for policies such as criminal justice reform, healthcare reform, and economic relief for working families. She also used her platform to speak out against racial injustice and police brutality, which had become major issues in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and other Black Americans by law enforcement officers.

In November 2020, Biden and Harris won the presidential election, defeating incumbent President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. Harris's historic election as Vice President was celebrated by many, particularly women and people of color, who saw it as a significant milestone in the fight for equal representation in American politics.

Vice Presidency 

Since taking office as Vice President in January 2021, Harris has continued to be a prominent and influential figure in American politics. She has played an active role in the Biden administration, particularly on issues related to immigration, voting rights, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of Harris's major responsibilities as Vice President has been to lead the administration's efforts to address the root causes of migration from Central America. In June 2021, she traveled to Guatemala and Mexico to meet with government officials and discuss strategies for reducing poverty, corruption, and violence in the region.

Harris has also been a strong advocate for voting rights and has spoken out against the wave of restrictive voting laws being proposed in many states. In June 2021, she delivered a speech in which she called voting rights "the cornerstone of our democracy" and urged Congress to pass federal legislation to protect voting rights.

In addition to her policy work, Harris has also been an inspiration and role model for many people, particularly young girls and women of color. Her barrier-breaking achievements have shown that anything is possible with hard work and determination, and she has been vocal about the importance of representation and diversity in American politics.

Challenges and Criticisms 

Despite her many accomplishments and the enthusiasm that her election generated, Harris has also faced significant challenges and criticisms during her time in office. Some progressives have criticized her record as a prosecutor and her stance on issues such as criminal justice reform and police accountability.

Harris has also faced criticism from some Republicans and conservative media outlets, who have accused her of being too liberal and too radical. In particular, her work on issues such as immigration and voting rights has drawn sharp criticism from some on the right.

Kamala Harris's rise from Attorney General to Vice President of the United States is a remarkable story of perseverance, dedication, and hard work. Throughout her career, she has broken barriers and shattered glass ceilings, paving the way for future generations of women and people of color in American politics.

As Vice President, Harris has continued to be a strong and influential voice for progressive policies and social justice issues. Her leadership and advocacy have helped to advance important causes such as voting rights, criminal justice reform, and immigration reform.

Her legacy is sure to endure, as she continues to be a trailblazer and role model for generations to come.