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Vice President Kamala Harris has officially accepted the Democratic nomination for president, making her the first Black woman and the first Asian-American to lead a major party’s ticket. Speaking at the Democratic National Convention Thursday night, Harris said, “On behalf of the people, on behalf of every American regardless of party, race, gender, or the language your grandmother speaks; on behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey; on behalf of Americans like the people I grew up with, people who work hard, chase their dreams, and look out for one another; on behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth. I accept your nomination for president of the United States of America.”
Of course, Harris is plenty used to making history: She was the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first South Asian American to ever become vice president of the United States. She broke the same barriers in California when she became attorney general of the state. And she is still only one of three Black women to serve in the United States Senate. Were Harris to become president, she would not only shatter what Hillary Clinton has often referred to as the “highest, hardest” glass ceiling, she would usher in an entirely new vision of what the first family can look like, as she is married to Doug Emhoff, the first Jewish spouse to a vice president, who could become the first-ever First Gentleman. Harris is also known as Momala to her step-children, Cole and Ella.
Harris only has about three more months to make her case to the country. Just one month ago, President Joe Biden was the presumptive Democratic nominee, until he exited the race on July 21 and endorsed Harris. At the time, the president tweeted: “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my vice-president. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.”
Harris then went on to ask Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her VP, and this November, they’ll face off against former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance. Trump formally accepted his party’s nomination on July 19 during the Republican National Convention, two days before Biden dropped out and six days after a gunman shot at Trump during a Pennsylvania rally. At the convention, Trump told his supporters: “Despite such a heinous attack, we unite this evening, more determined than ever. I am more determined than ever and so are you…Our resolve is unbroken, and our purpose is unchanged, to deliver a government that serves the American people better than ever before.”
During her speech, Harris also advocated for a unified country, saying, “I promise to be a president for all Americans. You can always trust me to put country above party and self.”
Back in 2020, ELLE featured Harris on our November cover in the lead up to that year’s history-making election. During that interview, Harris spoke about what gives her hope, saying, “Optimism is the fuel driving every fight I’ve been in.” She continued, “The motivation comes from believing in what can be unburdened by what has been…It will often feel like [we are only] against something, but the motivation that carries us through, with any longevity, is knowing what we’re fighting for.”
Watch her whole speech, below:
Madison is the digital deputy editor at ELLE, where she also covers news, politics, and culture. If she’s not online, she’s probably napping or trying not to fall while rock climbing.