Former U.S. senator of California Kamala Harris has officially become the first woman in history to serve as vice president of the United States of America.
Women and politics have been separated by society for centuries, but Harris being sworn in as vice president may signal that things are changing for the greater good.
Women in positions of power or who are running for positions often get questioned about their emotional status, their ability to lead, and hear sexualized comments. Yet, as society is growing, we are seeing more women getting involved in politics, carving the path to normalize women as individuals who are just as capable as men. Kamala Harris becoming vice president can motivate women to participate in leadership roles of all kinds.
“It is important to understand the huge impact Kamala made as well as to understand why it is important,” said Stan State student Victoria Cantu. “Kamala motivates other women to become leaders and I think that is very important in today’s generation.”
Maria Cardenas, another Stan State student, believes that Harris becoming VP will set a good precedent for females in politics. “Kamala Harris becoming vice president symbolizes female empowerment. With Kamala as an example, we are seeing that we are evolving and include women in our government.”
The United Nations Development Programme UNDP is an organization that focuses on helping countries develop strong policies and skills and aims to solve issues like poverty and climate change. Many women are involved in the organization and are leaders who dedicate their lives to better their community, including Marsha Waggoner, who believes that Harris’ role as vice president gives women something to look forward to.
“If Kamala demonstrates integrity and provides positive changes to fix the current issues, then we might soon have a woman as president,” says Waggoner.
Since taking office as United States senator, she has introduced legislation to raise wages for working people, fix our broken criminal justice system, make healthcare a right for all Americans, address the epidemic of substance abuse, support veterans and military families, and expand access to childcare for working parents.
According to Harris’ White House biography, her mission remains unchanged.
Kamala Harris is the result of all the women who have fought for their rights and acclaimed positions in government. As Harris begins her terms as vice president of the United States, her role could shape America’s perspective of women involved in politics. Harris’ role as vice president can also make the idea of a woman someday becoming president of the United States even more achievable.
