50 Things You Didn’t Know About Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris, the 49th Vice President of the United States, has an extensive and diverse background. Here are 50 things you might not know about her:

Early Life and Family

1. Birthplace: Kamala Devi Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California.

2. Parents: Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a breast cancer researcher from India. Her father, Donald Harris, is a Jamaican-American economist.

3. Siblings: She has one younger sister, Maya Harris, who is a lawyer and public policy advocate.

4. Name Meaning: Her first name, Kamala, means “lotus” in Sanskrit and is another name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.

5. Multicultural Heritage: Kamala embraces both her Indian and Jamaican heritage, celebrating both cultures throughout her life.

6. Grandparents: Her maternal grandfather was a high-ranking Indian diplomat.

7. Early Activism: Kamala attended civil rights marches as a child with her parents.

Education

8. High School: She attended Westmount High School in Montreal, Canada, after her mother moved the family there for a job.

9. College: Kamala attended Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C., where she majored in political science and economics.

10. Law School: She earned her Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Early Career

11. First Job: Her first job was as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California.

12. Advocacy: She has long been an advocate for children’s rights and was involved in prosecuting child sexual assault cases early in her career.

Political Career

13. District Attorney: Kamala was elected as the District Attorney of San Francisco in 2003.

14. Attorney General: She served as the Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017, becoming the first woman, African American, and South Asian American to hold the position.

15. Senator: She was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016, representing California.

16. Committee Memberships: In the Senate, she served on the Judiciary, Intelligence, Homeland Security, and Budget Committees.

Vice Presidency

17. Historic Election: In 2020, she became the first female, first Black, and first South Asian Vice President of the United States.

18. Running Mate: Kamala was chosen as Joe Biden’s running mate in the 2020 presidential election.

19. Swearing-In: She was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court Justice.

Personal Life

20. Marriage: Kamala married Douglas Emhoff, an entertainment lawyer, in 2014.

21. Stepchildren: She has two stepchildren, Cole and Ella Emhoff, who call her “Momala.”

22. Faith: Kamala was raised in both the Baptist and Hindu faiths.

Achievements and Initiatives

23. Anti-Truancy Initiative: As Attorney General, she introduced an initiative to reduce truancy in schools.

24. Back on Track Program: She developed this program to help first-time nonviolent offenders reintegrate into society.

25. Author: Kamala has written several books, including a memoir titled “The Truths We Hold” and a children’s book, “Superheroes Are Everywhere.”

26. Environmental Advocacy: She has been a strong advocate for environmental justice and climate change legislation.

Honors and Recognition

27. 100 Most Influential People: She has been named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people multiple times.

28. Doctorates: She has received honorary doctorates from Howard University and UC Hastings.

Fun Facts

29. Cooking Skills: Kamala is an avid cook and enjoys making Indian and Jamaican dishes.

30. Music Lover: She loves hip-hop music and has cited artists like Tupac and Snoop Dogg as her favorites.

31. Fashion Sense: Kamala is known for her signature style, often seen wearing Converse sneakers on the campaign trail.

Policies and Stances

32. Healthcare: She is a strong proponent of Medicare for All.

33. Criminal Justice Reform: She has advocated for criminal justice reform, including measures to end mass incarceration.

34. LGBTQ+ Rights: Kamala has consistently supported LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality.

International Background

35. Visits to India: She has visited India several times and maintains a strong connection to her Indian heritage.

36. Jamaican Roots: Kamala often speaks about her Jamaican heritage and the influence of her father.

Professional Relationships

37. Mentorship: She credits former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown as a significant mentor in her early career.

38. Friendships: Kamala has a close friendship with former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Campaigns and Elections

39. First Senate Campaign: During her first Senate campaign, she received endorsements from prominent figures like Elizabeth Warren and Barack Obama.

40. Presidential Run: Kamala ran for the Democratic nomination for President in 2020 before being selected as Joe Biden’s running mate.

Personal Interests

41. Yoga Enthusiast: Kamala practices yoga regularly.

42. Reading: She is an avid reader and enjoys books on history and politics.

Challenges and Controversies

43. Criticism: As a prosecutor, she faced criticism from some activists for not being progressive enough on criminal justice reform.

Legislative Accomplishments

44. Lynching Bill: Kamala co-authored a bill to make lynching a federal crime.

45. COVID-19 Relief: She played a significant role in advocating for COVID-19 relief measures.

Inspirational Figure

46. Role Model: Kamala is a role model for many young women and girls, especially those of African American and South Asian descent.

Quotes and Speeches

47. Notable Quote: One of her famous quotes is, “My mother would look at me and she’d say, ‘Kamala, you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you’re not the last.’”

Personal Traits

48. Determination: Known for her determination and resilience, Kamala often speaks about overcoming barriers in her career.

49. Empathy: She is known for her empathetic approach, often highlighting the stories of everyday Americans in her speeches.

Historic Impact

50. Legacy: As the first female Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris has already left an indelible mark on American history, paving the way for future generations.

These facts provide a comprehensive look at Kamala Harris’s life, career, and impact, showcasing the many facets of this trailblazing leader.