KAMALA HARRIS

A daughter of immigrants follows a path of social and political activism to become the first female, Black, and Asian American vice president of the United States.

Kamala Harris’ story is outlined here, from her childhood years to her rise in California politics and election as vice president. Her mother, who came from India, and her father, who is from Jamaica, met as graduate students in Berkeley. They were both interested in social justice, and some of Harris’ earliest memories are of attending protests. Her parents divorced when she was young, and her mother raised her daughters to identify with both sides of her family while recognizing that they would be perceived as Black. Harris attended the historically Black Howard University in Washington, D.C., before returning to California for law school. Despite distrust of prosecutors in marginalized communities, Harris chose that career path, believing in her ability to make change. Political success followed despite some criticism, such as when she refused to seek the death penalty following the killing of a police officer. Her qualifications led to her selection as running mate for 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden. This brief, easy-to-read biography, enhanced with quotes and photographs, offers a solid introduction. Sidebars provide important background context, and the work as a whole provides a useful snapshot of the life of an important woman.

A concise depiction of the journey that broke many barriers for a driven woman of color.