Kamala Harris makes history through political journey

November 4, 2024

By Anaya Dennis, Staff Writer

Kamala Harris, the first African American woman and the first South Asian Vice President of the United States embodies a groundbreaking legacy that spans her entire life. From her childhood in Oakland, Calif., to her time at Howard University in Washington, DC, and as a member of the Divine Nine Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), Harris’ journey is not only trailblazing, but also a reflection of the progress made in leadership and representation for women of color. 

“Vice president Kamala Harris, a daughter of immigrants, has achieved a historical milestone by formally becoming the Democratic Presidential Nominee, making her the first woman of color to lead a major party ticket,” Danette Anthony Reed, the international president and CEO of AKA, said in her formal statement from the organization. “As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., her nomination has brought immense pride and excitement,” Reed said.  

Harris was born in 1964 to parents deeply involved in the civil rights movement. Her mother, a cancer researcher from India, and her father, an economist from Jamaica, raised her in a household emphasizing education and activism. These early experiences shaped Harris’ sense of civic duty and her commitment to justice and equality.  

Choosing Howard University for her undergraduate education was a personal and significant decision. Harris has often spoken about how attending an HBCU helped shape her identity and leadership perspective. She frequently calls her years at Howard her formative years, where she discovered her love for politics. Howard, known as “The Mecca,” in black education, provided Harris with both a rigorous academic experience and a space where she could grow into her role as an activist and future leader.  

For Harris, she believed it was the perfect place to hone her leadership skills. She joined the debate team, served in the student government, and made lifelong connections that later proved invaluable in her political career. Her time at Howard gave her the confidence and clarity to navigate the predominantly white, male-dominated world of law and politics.  

While at Howard, Harris became a member of the Alpha Chapter of AKA, the first African American sorority founded in 1908 at Howard. Her involvement in AKA not only expanded her network but also reinforced her commitment to community service and activism.  

Since Harris’s rise to the vice presidency, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has consistently voiced its pride and support for her historic achievement. AKA members across the globe have rallied behind Harris, acknowledging the importance of having one of their own in such a powerful and influential position. In honor of her achievements, AKA has ramped up initiatives that focus on civic engagement, voter mobilization, and women’s leadership, aiming to empower future generations to follow in Harris’s footsteps.  

“As a sorority, one of our initiatives is to advocate for social justice which has included things such as voter education, registration, and mobilization to empower communities to utilize their most powerful tools of community change and advocacy during local, state, and national elections,” said Dr. Monique Jones the graduate advisor for the Epsilon Tau chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. at Xavier. 

From her childhood in a politically active household to her education at an HBCU and her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha, Harris has consistently broken barriers and set new precedents for women of color in leadership. Her historic rise to the vice presidency serves as a beacon of hope, reminding all that no goal is out of reach with determination and hard work. HBCU students can look to Harris’s journey as a testament to the power of education, activism, and sisterhood. Harris’ story is a reminder that time on campus can be the foundation for shaping a future of significant impact for generations to come. 

“Having a female chief executive will impact the way people would think about gap issues and discrimination issues between men and women. Why do politicians make the decisions that they make? It’s because of their background and their solicitation throughout their lives,” said Dr. Russell Frazier, a political scientist and head of the political science and sociology departments at Xavier.