By Essence ·November 7, 2020November 7, 2020
The election of 56-year-old Oakland native, proud HBCU graduate and former U.S. Senator Kamala Harris to the office of Vice President-Elect has given many Americans a renewed sense of pride in the country’s highest office. Since the long-awaited announcement of President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory over current “President” Donald Trump to claim the oval office with Harris as his right hand, people have continued celebrating in cities nationwide.
One of the most endearing parts of Harris’ story is the richly diverse and close knit family of fearless women of color from which she came. Long before she made history and reaffirmed what’s possible for little Black and Brown girls everywhere, she herself was a little girl with big dreams growing up alongside her sister with her beloved mother as her guiding light.
As we continue to celebrate this monumentous occasion, here’s a look back at Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris’ journey to history and the support circle of women who held her high along the way.
01Kamala Harris with Her Mother 
The day my mother told my sister and me that she had colon cancer was one of the worst days of my life. I remember being so grateful that my mother had Medicare, we must work toward guaranteeing it to all. – Kamala Harris’ Facebook page 02Sen. Kamala Harris (left) pictured with sister Maya and Mother ShymalaMy mother was very intentional about raising my sister, Maya, and me as strong, Black women. She coupled her teachings of civic duty and fearlessness with actions, which included taking us on Thursday nights to Rainbow Sign, a Black cultural center near our home.
There we were always greeted with warm hugs and exposed to extraordinary people like Shirley Chisholm, Nina Simone, and Maya Angelou who helped show us what we could become. This Black History Month, I want to lift up my mother and the community at Rainbow Sign who taught us anything was possible, unburdened by what has been. 
03Kamala Harris and her sister Maya in 1970 (Courtesy of Kamala Harris)Kamala Harris and her sister Maya in 1970. – Mercury Times 
04Kamala HarrisHarris tweeted this photo of her as a child after referencing it during a Democratic debate in June 2019. During the debate, she confronted Joe Biden over his opposition many years ago to the federal government mandating busing to integrate schools. “There was a little girl in California who was bussed to school,” she tweeted. “That little girl was me.” – CNN 
05Kamala Harris at Her Mother Shyamala’s Laboratory at UC BerkeleyA young Kamala Harris at her mother Shyamala’s laboratory at UC Berkeley. – LA Times (Courtesy of Kamala Harris) 
06Shelley Young-Thompkins and Kamala HarrisShelley Young-Thompkins befriended Kamala Harris during her freshman year at Howard University – ABC News 
07Kamala HarrisHappy first day of school, Bison! As this new school year starts, be sure to aim high and make the climb — you never know what you can achieve until you try.
At Howard University, you can come as you are and leave as the person you aspire to be. Your Bison family will be with you every step. – Kamala Harris’ Facebook page 
08Kamala Harris in Alpha Kappa Alpha at Howard UniversityIn 1986, Kamala Harris and 37 other women were initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha at Howard University. ABC7 spoke to her line sisters about Harris’s history-making moment on Wednesday. – ABC; Courtesy of: Alpha Kappa Alpha 
09Harris Graduates From Law School in 1989American Education Week has me thinking about my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Wilson. She sparked my love for learning and was there for me the day I walked across the stage to get my law degree. There are Mrs. Wilson’s all across our nation who are making a difference in children’s lives—and they deserve a raise. As president, I’ll invest in them like they’ve invested in us. – Kamala Harris’ Facebook page 
10A family of phenomenal womenKamala Harris with her sister Maya and her niece Meena. 
11Kamala Harris with Her Paternal Grandmother, Beryl, in JamaicaKamala Harris with her paternal grandmother, Beryl, in Jamaica. – CNN (Courtesy of Kamala Harris) 
12Sister, Sister!Kamala Harris enjoys dinner with her sister Maya. 
Getty Images 13U.S. Vice President-Elect, Kamala Harris 
Kamala Harris addresses the nation after her historic win to become Vice President-Elect of the United States. TOPICS: 2020 election Joe Biden kamala harris
The post 13 Beautiful Photos Of Kamala Harris & The Women Who Held Her High On Her Journey To History appeared first on Essence.
