By: Ale Lewis, St Luke’s sophomore and LiveGirl Leadership Council member
The election of Kamala Harris means that young women, like me, have a living and breathing example of a woman holding the second most powerful position in the country. For women of color it is even more profound to see her breaking so many different barriers. Vice President elect Harris is the first woman of color to run for Vice President of the U.S. and the first woman to win. After her memorable moments on stage, I know she won’t be the last. It is so inspiring to see how far she’s come from growing up as the daughter of immigrants raised by a single mom. Her qualified, rational, and strong characteristics are spotlighted when she speaks showing girls how to command and claim their power.
During the Vice Presidential debate, Vice President Mike Pence continually spoke over Vice President elect Harris. Instead of accepting his interruptions, she calmly responded, “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking.” Her response went viral among girls and women on social media. Her firmness shows us that you don’t have to stay silent when someone interrupts, your voice is needed and important. Vice President elect Harris is quickly becoming a feminist icon, continually displaying her belief that women should have the right to do what they want with their own bodies and to speak out about reforms needed in the justice system. Watching her confidence and intelligence makes me proud to be a woman.
