9 First-Time Voters on What Kamala Harris As Vice President Of The United States Means to Them
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On January 20, Kamala Harris will make history as she becomes the first female vice president the nation has ever had. She is the first woman, the first Black woman, the first Indian-American, South Asian, and Asian-American to be elected to the position. The vice president's victory and the cultural representation she brings is a win for young people across the country. Here, first-time voters share what having Kamala Harris as the vice president means to them and their future.
“Being a first time voter and Hispanic woman, representation in the house will move mountains for future leaders. Being a future educator, I want children to realize that this position is for anyone who wants the best for our country, not just power-hungry men.” — Abigail, 21, first-time voter in Illinois
“To me, Kamala Harris becoming the VP means a lot. She’s setting unprecedented thresholds for so many. Whether you’re Black or just a woman, Kamala Harris as the VP allows us, who are often underrepresented, to feel that we have a voice, a space, and a place. We’re literally watching history before us, I’m happy to be here to experience it. Harris is breaking through doors often shut to people like me, so when it’s my turn I can run through them.” — Marcus, 18, first-time voter in New York
“The 2020 election was the first I was able to participate in as a voter, but being young, Black, and living in the DC area, I’ve always been tied to political conversations in one way or another. These conversations are just about always taken over by people who are older, white, and or male, none of which I identify with, so having a Black woman — and a Howard woman at that — at the top of the ranks in politics is, in a sense, comforting, and beyond empowering.” — Fatou, 20, first-time voter in Maryland
“I voted for the Biden Harris campaign in Katy, Texas. I am 21-years-old and this is my first time voting as I became a citizen at the beginning of the year, after having lived here for most of my life. For me, Harris becoming the first women Vice President of the United States is such a win for women and minorities. Being Latina, I understand the struggle of a lack of representation in the government, especially in positions of power. Her winning the election as Biden’s running-mate proves women can be in the White House.” — Ana, 21, first-time voter in Texas
“Kamala Harris as Vice President of the United States definitely means a lot to me as a young woman of color in America. With the year that we’ve had, it’s really important to have someone in office who understands the importance of equality for all. In all honesty, neither Harris nor Biden were my first choice for the democratic ticket, but as the election moved forward my faith in them really grew. Kamala Harris’ performance in the VP debate made me hopeful for the next four years.” — Alina, 20, first-time voter in Florida
“Kamala as VP means feminists like myself are finally getting justice for this past 2016 election. Kamala winning means us as women are heard, us as minority women are heard. This win would open up so many doors for the future generation of young women everywhere!” — Michelle, 21, first-time voter in Texas
“Kamala becoming vice president means we are finally taking strides towards breaking gender inequalities in positions of power. I know I speak for every single woman when I say that we have felt some form of gender inequality at some point, as it is so deeply engrained in our society. I still remember the day after her debate with Mike Pence — when she stated, “I am talking,” — I used those exact same words when trying to talk during class while two men kept talking over me and I had politely waited my turn.” — Geneve, 21, first-time voter in Idaho
“Kamala Harris as Vice President makes me hopeful for the future of women in politics, being that this would be the first woman Vice President ever. It gives me hope that there will be more women represented in politics, and more importantly more black women represented. With all being said, I hope this will give an easier pathway for more progressive candidates to hold impactful roles as well, Harris is not the most progressive but this is a step in the right direction.” — Carla Gaveglia, 18, first-time-voter in New York
"Having a female Vice President is beyond empowering and shows me I should never give up. Women have come so far and we've learned so much since the women's suffrage movement. There is so much more for us to accomplish, and we aren't stopping here!" — Ashley, 20, first-time-voter in Florida
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