Kamala Harris                                                                                     

**Early Life and Education**


Kamala Devi Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, to Shyamala Gopalan and Donald J. Harris. She is an American politician and attorney. Her mother, a biologist from India, arrived in the United States in 1958 for graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where she became a prominent researcher in breast cancer. Her father, originally from Jamaica, came to the U.S. in 1961 and became a development economist. He was the first Black professor to receive tenure at Stanford University's Economics Department.


Harris's early years were spent in Berkeley, California, before her family moved to various college towns across the Midwest due to her parents' academic positions. After her parents separated in 1972, Kamala and her sister Maya lived with their mother in Berkeley during the week and visited their father in Palo Alto on weekends. In 1976, her mother took a research position at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where Harris completed her high school education at Westmount High School in 1981.


Harris attended Vanier College in Montreal before transferring to Howard University in Washington, D.C. At Howard, she majored in political science and economics and joined Alpha Kappa Alpha, one of the historically Black sororities. She graduated in 1986 and continued her studies at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 1989.


**Early Legal Career**


Harris began her legal career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California. Her early work focused on prosecuting cases of violent crime. In 1998, she joined the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, where she was eventually promoted to Chief of the Career Criminal Division, overseeing the prosecution of serious offenses such as homicides and sexual assaults.


In 2000, Harris transitioned to work with San Francisco's City Attorney, Louise Renne, managing the Family and Children's Services Division. Her successful leadership and commitment to public service laid the groundwork for her future political career.

                   **District Attorney of San Francisco (2004–2011)**


In 2003, Harris ran for District Attorney of San Francisco and won, becoming the first person of color to hold the position. She was re-elected in 2007. As District Attorney, Harris focused on innovative approaches to criminal justice, including the creation of a Hate Crimes Unit and an Environmental Crimes Unit. She implemented initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism and improving community safety, such as the San Francisco Reentry Division, which helped former offenders reintegrate into society with a lower recidivism rate.


Harris’s office also tackled issues such as truancy, targeting parents of chronically absent children, and advocated for higher bail for gun-related offenses. Her tenure was marked by both accomplishments and controversy, including her decision not to seek the death penalty in certain high-profile cases.


*Attorney General of California (2011–2017)*



In 2010, Harris was elected California Attorney General, becoming the first woman, African American, and South Asian American to hold the office. She was re-elected in 2014. During her tenure, Harris achieved notable successes, including major recoveries in false claims cases and significant settlements in mortgage and environmental violations.


Harris played a key role in shaping California’s response to financial and housing crises, including securing better terms in the National Mortgage Settlement and introducing the California Homeowner Bill of Rights. She also made strides in technology privacy by negotiating agreements with major tech companies to improve app privacy policies.


Her office faced criticism over various issues, including her decision not to pursue certain cases and the handling of transgender inmates' access to gender-affirming surgery. Despite this, Harris was recognized for her efforts to combat transnational crime, protect consumer rights, and enhance environmental regulations.

                 **U.S. Senator from California (2017–2021)**



In 2016, Harris was elected as the junior U.S. senator from California, becoming the second Black woman and the first South Asian American to serve in the Senate. During her time in office, she became known for her strong stances on various issues, including gun control, the DREAM Act, federal cannabis legalization, and healthcare reform.


Harris gained national prominence for her incisive questioning during Senate hearings, particularly her challenging of Trump administration officials. She also advocated for police reform and transparency, introducing legislation to address implicit bias and improve law enforcement practices.


**Vice President of the United States (2021–present)**



Harris was selected as Joe Biden's running mate in the 2020 presidential election. Their ticket won against incumbent President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, making Harris the first female, African American, and South Asian American vice president in U.S. history.


As vice president, Harris has played a critical role in breaking Senate tie votes and advancing key legislation, including the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. She has also been involved in various diplomatic and domestic initiatives, reflecting her commitment to addressing issues such as economic inequality, climate change, and criminal justice reform.


**Personal Life**


Kamala Harris is married to Douglas Emhoff, a lawyer and professor. They have been active in promoting various causes and supporting each other's professional and personal endeavors. Harris’s family background, professional achievements, and political career reflect her dedication to public service and her pioneering role in American politics.