Top 50 Unknown and Amazing Facts About Kamala Harris
Born in Oakland, California on October 20, 1964, Kamala Harris is a political trailblazer in the United States. In 2020, she achieved historic status as the nation’s first Black, female, and South Asian vice president, succeeding President Joe Biden. Her path demonstrates a dedication to justice, equality, and dismantling obstacles.
Harris started out in law enforcement as a prosecutor before rising to the position of San Francisco district attorney. She became the state’s first elected woman and person of color attorney general in 2011 when she was chosen. Her contributions to consumer rights, environmental preservation, and criminal justice reform were well-known.
After winning election in 2016, Harris served as a U.S. Senator from California, championing progressive ideas on immigration, healthcare reform, and climate action. She gained a reputation as a ferocious defender of justice as a result of her challenging questioning during Senate hearings, especially those involving judicial nominees.
Harris has prioritized important topics including immigration reform, voting rights, and economic recovery in his role as vice president. As a leader, she never stops setting new standards. She inspires upcoming generations of women and minorities with her strength and tenacity.
Here are 50 unknown and amazing facts about her that highlight her unique journey and legacy.
1. Born to Immigrant Parents
Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, to immigrant parents. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was an Indian biologist, and her father, Donald Harris, is a Jamaican-American economist.
2. Named After a Hindu Goddess
Her name “Kamala” means “lotus” in Sanskrit and is also a name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.
3. Her Mother was a Breast Cancer Researcher
Shyamala Gopalan Harris, Kamala’s mother, was a pioneering breast cancer researcher who made significant contributions to the field.
4. Parents were Civil Rights Activists
Harris’s parents were deeply involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960s, which had a profound influence on her growing up.
5. Spent Her Childhood in Berkeley
Kamala Harris spent her early childhood in Berkeley, California, where her parents were involved in the local civil rights movement.
6. Moved to Canada During Her Teen Years
After her parents divorced, Harris moved with her mother to Montreal, Canada, where she spent her teenage years.
7. Attended a French-speaking School in Canada
While living in Montreal, Harris attended Westmount High School, a French-speaking public school.
8. She’s a Graduate of Howard University
Kamala Harris graduated from Howard University, a prestigious historically black university in Washington, D.C., in 1986 with a degree in political science and economics.
9. Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
During her time at Howard, Harris became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the first historically African American sorority.
10. Earned a Law Degree from UC Hastings
After Howard, she earned her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 1989.
11. Started Her Career in Alameda County
Harris began her legal career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted cases involving violent crimes, drug trafficking, and sexual assault.
12. First Woman to Serve as San Francisco’s District Attorney
In 2003, Harris was elected District Attorney of San Francisco, making her the first woman, the first African American, and the first South Asian American to hold the position.
13. Her Progressive Record as District Attorney
Harris implemented programs to reduce recidivism and initiated reforms to address racial disparities in the criminal justice system during her time as District Attorney.
14. Refused to Seek the Death Penalty
As San Francisco DA, Harris refused to seek the death penalty for a man convicted of killing a police officer, a decision that drew both support and criticism.
15. Authored the Book “Smart on Crime”
In 2009, Harris published her book, Smart on Crime, which outlined her vision for criminal justice reform focused on prevention rather than punishment.
16. First Woman to Serve as Attorney General of California
In 2010, Harris was elected California Attorney General, making her the first woman, African American, and South Asian American to hold the office.
17. Defended the Affordable Care Act
As Attorney General, she defended the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act and protected healthcare access for millions of Californians.
18. Sued For-Profit Colleges
Harris led a lawsuit against Corinthian Colleges, a large for-profit college chain, which resulted in a $1.1 billion settlement.
19. Fought for Marriage Equality
Harris refused to defend Proposition 8, a California ballot proposition that banned same-sex marriage, helping pave the way for marriage equality in the state.
20. Her Work on Environmental Protection
Harris created an environmental justice unit within the California Department of Justice to tackle issues affecting disadvantaged communities.
21. First Indian American Senator
In 2016, Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first Indian American woman and the second African American woman to serve in the Senate.
22. A Tough Questioner in Senate Hearings
Harris gained a reputation as a formidable questioner during Senate hearings, particularly in her exchanges with Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
23. Co-sponsored the DREAM Act
Harris co-sponsored the DREAM Act, which aimed to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
24. Advocated for Criminal Justice Reform
As a Senator, Harris introduced the Justice in Policing Act, which aimed to reform policing practices and hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct.
25. Supported Medicare for All
During her time in the Senate, Harris voiced support for Medicare for All, a proposal to create a single-payer healthcare system in the U.S.
26. First Indian American to Run for President
In January 2019, Harris announced her candidacy for President of the United States, becoming the first Indian American woman to do so.
27. Her Campaign Slogan was “For the People”
Harris’s campaign slogan, “For the People,” reflected her long-standing commitment to public service and justice.
28. Endorsed Joe Biden After Dropping Out
Harris suspended her presidential campaign in December 2019 and later endorsed Joe Biden, her future running mate.
29. First Black and South Asian Vice Presidential Candidate
In August 2020, Joe Biden selected Kamala Harris as his running mate, making her the first Black and South Asian woman to be on a major party’s ticket.
30. First Female Vice President
In November 2020, Kamala Harris was elected Vice President of the United States, making history as the first female Vice President.
31. First Vice President of African and Indian Descent
Harris is also the first person of African and Indian descent to hold the office of Vice President in the United States.
32. Her Husband is the Second Gentleman
Kamala Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, is the first Second Gentleman in U.S. history, as well as the first Jewish spouse of a U.S. Vice President.
33. Stepmother to Two Children
Harris is a proud stepmother to two children, Cole and Ella Emhoff, whom she lovingly refers to as her “Momala.”
34. Close Relationship with Her Sister
Kamala Harris is very close to her younger sister, Maya Harris, who is a lawyer and was a senior policy advisor for her presidential campaign.
35. She Loves to Cook
Harris is known for her love of cooking, often sharing her favorite recipes and even hosting virtual cooking sessions during the 2020 campaign.
36. Passionate About Hip-Hop
Kamala Harris has publicly expressed her love for hip-hop music, naming artists like Tupac and Snoop Dogg as her favorites.
37. Enjoys a Good Laugh
Harris is known for her infectious laugh, which has become one of her trademark qualities.
38. Has a Sharp Fashion Sense
Harris’s fashion choices, from her Converse sneakers to her pearls, have inspired many and have even been studied as cultural symbols.
39. First Vice President to March in Pride Parades
As a staunch supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, Kamala Harris has marched in numerous Pride parades, becoming the first sitting Vice President to do so.
40. Prosecuted Big Banks After the 2008 Financial Crisis
Harris helped secure a $20 billion settlement for California homeowners affected by the mortgage crisis during her time as Attorney General.
41. Co-authored a Children’s Book
Harris wrote a children’s book titled Superheroes Are Everywhere, which encourages kids to find role models in everyday life.
42. Influenced by Thurgood Marshall
As a law student, Harris was heavily influenced by the work of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, who inspired her to pursue justice.
43. Supports Ending the Filibuster
Harris has spoken out in favor of ending the Senate filibuster, a procedural rule that she believes obstructs meaningful legislation on critical issues like voting rights.
44. Advocated for Paid Family Leave
Harris has long supported paid family leave, pushing for policies that would allow all workers to take time off to care for loved ones without losing income.
45. Led the Fight for Gun Control Legislation
Kamala Harris has been a vocal advocate for gun control, supporting stricter background checks and a ban on assault weapons.
46. Focus on Climate Change
Harris has worked on advancing policies to combat climate change, co-sponsoring the Green New Deal and emphasizing environmental justice.
47. Supports Legalizing Marijuana
As both Senator and Vice President, Harris has advocated for the legalization of marijuana and the expungement of criminal records for those convicted of nonviolent cannabis offenses.
48. First VP to Hold a Senate Tie-Breaking Vote
In her role as Vice President, Harris has exercised her power to break tie votes in the Senate, a rare and significant responsibility.
49. Honored Her Mother in Victory Speech
In her 2020 Vice Presidential victory speech, Harris paid tribute to her mother, thanking her for instilling the values that led to her success.
50. Champion of Women’s Rights
Throughout her career, Harris has been a tireless advocate for women’s rights, from fighting for equal pay to supporting reproductive rights and protections against gender-based violence.
Kamala Harris‘s uncompromising dedication to justice, equality, and opportunity has defined her groundbreaking career. Her incredible journey and the historical significance of her contributions to American society are illustrated by these 50 facts. She is the world’s first female vice president, and her life story continues to inspire millions, demonstrating that obstacles are supposed to be overcome.