What you need to know about Kamala Harris, 1st woman, Black, Asian-American to become US VP

Kamala Harris, daughter of two US immigrants, made history in more ways than one.

During Inauguration Day, Harris was finally sworn into office, making her not only the first woman to become the vice president of the United States, but also the first Black and Asian-American to hold the second highest position in the US government.

Get to know more about Kamala Harris, the 49th US vice president.

1. She is a daughter of two US immigrants.

Kamala Devi Harris was born on Oct. 20, 1964, in Oakland, California.

Both of her parents are US immigrants who came from India and Jamaica. Her father, Donald Harris, is an economics professor while her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, is a physician.

2. She conquered many firsts before her vice presidency victory.

Before Harris became the first Black and Asian-American woman to hold the US vice presidency, she was also the first female district attorney in San Francisco.

She graduated with a degree in political science and economics from Howard University in Washington, DC. She later got her Juris Doctor at University of California in 1989.

From 2004 to 2011, she served as the first female district attorney in San Francisco.

Later on, she became the first woman of color to be elected as attorney general in California from 2011 to 2016.

By 2017, she served as senator. Being the only Black Asian senator, she became the voice for racial justice and political reform in the US Senate, especially after George Floyd died at the hands of police authority last year.

3. Her stepkids call her “Momala.”

In 2014, Harris married lawyer Douglas Emhoff, a single father.

Harris, who has no biological children of her own, has since been called “Momala” by her stepchildren Cole and Ella.

4. She was supposed to run for US president.

Before running for vice president, Harris announced in 2019 that she was aiming for the position of president. However, she instead endorsed Joe Biden and later became his running mate.

Now the vice president of the United States, Harris said, “Ready to serve,” as her first tweet after ascending to her position. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News