Kamala means "lotus flower," and Devi means "Goddess."

The lotus flower is associated with the Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth) and symbolizes purity and strength, rising beautifully from swampy waters.

Kamala Harris is the 49th Vice President of the United States of America and the first woman, first Black person, and first South Asian (Indian) American to be elected Vice President. Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, to parents Donald Harris and Shyamala Gopalan Harris. Harris’s career began in 1990 with her role as a deputy district attorney in Oakland. Known for being tough on crime, she quickly rose through the ranks. In 2010, Harris became the first woman and first Black person to be elected Attorney General of California. After her 2012 address at the Democratic National Convention brought her to national attention, Harris was encouraged to run for the U.S. Senate. Her 2016 win made her the first Indian American elected to the Senate. In January 2019, Harris announced her candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. In August 2020, Democratic nominee Joe Biden chose Harris as his running mate. She became the first Black woman to appear on a major party’s national ticket—and in November 2020, she became the first woman elected Vice President of the United States of America.

EDUCATION

Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C. While at Howard, she interned as a mailroom clerk for California Senator Alan Cranston, chaired the economics society, led the debate team, and joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Harris graduated from Howard in 1986 with a degree in political science and economics.

Harris then attended law school at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, through its Legal Education Opportunity Program. While at UC Hastings, she served as president of its chapter of the Black Law Students Association. She graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1989 and was admitted to the California Bar in June 1990.

AT PRESENT

She is running for the President of the United States of America and her candidacy, if confirmed, would be historic, not only because of her background but also as a powerful statement on the evolving landscape of American politics. With her experience and groundbreaking leadership, Harris could redefine the presidential race, signaling a shift toward greater inclusivity and representation at the highest levels of government.

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