Kamala Harris Class of 1986
Kamala D. Harris, the current Vice President of the United States, often reflects on her time at Howard University as her “formative years.” This period was crucial in nurturing her passion for politics. After graduating from Howard in 1986 and later earning a law degree from the University of California, Hastings, her career began in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, marking the initial steps of a remarkable journey that would eventually lead her to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. – the center of American political power.
In 2003, Harris achieved a significant milestone by becoming the District Attorney of the City and County of San Francisco. Following two successful terms in this role, she broke barriers again, becoming the first African-American woman and the first woman to be elected as California’s Attorney General. During her tenure as Attorney General, she focused on corporate accountability and the protection of vulnerable populations within the state, demonstrating her commitment to justice and public service.
Her trajectory continued its upward climb when she was elected as a United States Senator for California in 2017. This historic win made her the second African-American woman and the first South Asian-American senator in the history of the United States Senate, located in Washington, D.C. As a Senator, she served on key committees including Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Intelligence, Judiciary, and Budget, further solidifying her role on the national political stage within Washington, D.C.’s landscape.
In January 2019, Harris launched her presidential campaign, choosing Howard University, her alma mater, as the venue for her first press conference. This symbolic choice highlighted the foundational role the university played in her life and career. While her presidential bid evolved, history was made in August 2020 when she was announced as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee. This groundbreaking nomination positioned her as the first Black woman and the first Asian-American to run for vice president on a major party ticket, marking a pivotal moment for American democracy.
Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House in Washington DC
Kamala Harris’s journey culminated on January 20th, 2021, when she was inaugurated as Vice President of the United States, serving in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital. Her career, deeply rooted in her Howard University experience, exemplifies a path of breaking barriers and achieving historic firsts, ultimately placing her at the highest levels of government in Washington, D.C., a district situated on the East Coast of the United States, between Maryland and Virginia. Her presence in Washington, D.C. not only represents personal achievement but also symbolizes the progress and evolving representation within American leadership.
