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Kamala Harris, 56, makes history as the first woman and woman of color Vice President-Elect.

On Saturday, November 7, the Oakland, CA., native delivered her victory speech to the American people starting with the words from a civil rights leader legend.

“Congressman John Lewis, before his passing, wrote democracy is not a state. It is an act. And what he meant is America’s democracy is not guaranteed. It is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it, to guard it. And never take it for granted.

Harris thanked everyone from the American people to the poll workers, and election officials and the people for choosing Joe Biden as the next President of the United States who she says is a healer, uniter, and a tested and steady hand, but a more touching moment was her tribute to her mother.

“And to the woman most responsible for my presence here today – my mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, who is always in our hearts. When she came here from India at the age of 19, maybe she didn’t quite imagine this moment. But she believed so deeply in an America where a moment like this is possible.”

 

Kamala Harris as a young child
Kamala Harris’ youth in Oakland (Courtesy of Kamala Harris)

 

Here are three take-away moments from Kamala Harris’ speech.

“I hope every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.”
“But while I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last.”
“I am thinking of her (my mother) and the generations of women, black, Asian, white, Latina, Native American women.”

The new Vice President, Elect thanked her family as well.

“To my husband Doug, our children Cole and Ella, my sister Maya, and our whole family – I love you all more than I can express. We are so grateful to Joe and Jill for welcoming our family into theirs on this incredible journey.”

 

See Kamala Harris’ full victory speech here.

Photo Credit: Rappler