# Kamala Harris

> Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025

**Wikidata**: [Q10853588](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10853588)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamala_Harris)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kamala-harris

## Summary
Kamala Harris is an American lawyer, politician, and jurist who served as the 49th Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025. She is the first woman, the first Black person, and the first Asian American to hold the office. Harris is known for her legal career, advocacy for criminal justice reform, and her role in shaping U.S. policy on issues like the Americans with Disabilities Act and civil rights.

## Biography
- Born: October 20, 1964, Oakland, California, United States
- Nationality: United States
- Education:
  - Howard University (Bachelor of Arts, 1986)
  - University of California, Hastings College of the Law (Juris Doctor, 1990)
- Known for: Advancing criminal justice reform, serving as California's first Black and Asian American attorney general, and becoming the first woman of color to hold the vice presidency
- Employer(s):
  - University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (faculty)
  - California Attorney General (2011–2017)
  - U.S. Senate (California, 2017–present)
- Field(s): Law, politics, criminal justice

## Contributions
- **Criminal Justice Reform**: Advocated for policies to reduce mass incarceration and improve rehabilitation programs, including the "Second Chance Act" and "Justice Reinvestment Act."
- **Legal Education**: Taught constitutional law at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, and contributed to legal scholarship on civil rights and criminal law.
- **Public Service**: Served as California's first Black and Asian American attorney general, overseeing significant reforms in the state's legal system.
- **Senate Leadership**: Played a key role in shaping U.S. policy on issues like the Americans with Disabilities Act, voting rights, and healthcare.
- **Vice Presidency**: As vice president, Harris focused on criminal justice reform, climate change, and economic equity, shaping national policy and advocacy efforts.

## FAQs
**What is Kamala Harris known for?**
Kamala Harris is known for her legal career, advocacy for criminal justice reform, and her historic role as the first woman, Black person, and Asian American to serve as U.S. vice president. She has been a leading voice in shaping policies on civil rights, disability rights, and economic justice.

**Where did Kamala Harris work before becoming vice president?**
Before becoming vice president, Harris served as California's attorney general (2011–2017), the first Black and Asian American to hold the position. She also taught constitutional law at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, and represented California in the U.S. Senate (2017–present).

**What legal cases or policies did Kamala Harris advocate for?**
Harris advocated for policies like the "Second Chance Act" and "Justice Reinvestment Act" to reduce mass incarceration and improve rehabilitation programs. She also worked to expand access to healthcare, protect voting rights, and enforce civil rights laws.

**How did Kamala Harris influence criminal justice reform?**
As attorney general, Harris oversaw significant reforms in California's legal system, including expanding access to legal aid, reducing sentencing disparities, and improving rehabilitation programs for incarcerated individuals. Her advocacy helped shape national policies on criminal justice reform.

**What is Kamala Harris' educational background?**
Harris earned a Bachelor of Arts from Howard University in 1986 and a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1990. She later taught constitutional law at UC Hastings and served as a faculty member at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco.

## Why They Matter
Kamala Harris' career has had a profound impact on criminal justice reform, civil rights, and political representation. As California's first Black and Asian American attorney general, she oversaw landmark reforms that reduced mass incarceration and improved rehabilitation programs. Her advocacy for policies like the "Second Chance Act" and "Justice Reinvestment Act" has influenced national debates on criminal justice reform. In the U.S. Senate, Harris has been a leading voice on issues like the Americans with Disabilities Act, voting rights, and healthcare. As vice president, she has shaped national policy on climate change, economic equity, and social justice, making her one of the most influential political figures of her generation. Her historic election as vice president broke barriers for women, people of color, and Asian Americans in U.S. politics, paving the way for greater diversity in leadership.

## Notable For
- First woman, Black person, and Asian American to serve as U.S. vice president
- First Black and Asian American to hold the position of California attorney general
- Advocate for criminal justice reform, including the "Second Chance Act" and "Justice Reinvestment Act"
- Key figure in shaping U.S. policy on civil rights, disability rights, and healthcare
- Author of the memoir *The Truths We Hold*, which reflects on her personal and professional journey
- Recipient of the Thurgood Marshall Award and honorary doctorates from Howard University and the University of Southern California
- Member of the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, to Indian immigrant parents, Shyamala Gopalan and Donald Harris. She attended Westmount High School in Montreal, Canada, and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University in 1986. Harris then moved to California to attend the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 1990. She later taught constitutional law at UC Hastings and became a faculty member at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco.

### Legal Career and Public Service
Harris began her legal career as a prosecutor in San Francisco, where she focused on criminal defense and public defense. In 2003, she was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, serving until 2011. During this time, she worked on issues related to housing, education, and criminal justice reform. In 2010, Harris was elected as the first Black and Asian American attorney general of California, a position she held until 2017. As attorney general, she oversaw significant reforms in the state's legal system, including expanding access to legal aid, reducing sentencing disparities, and improving rehabilitation programs for incarcerated individuals.

### U.S. Senate and National Leadership
In 2016, Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing California. She quickly became a leading voice on issues like criminal justice reform, civil rights, and healthcare. In 2017, she introduced the "Second Chance Act," a landmark bill that aimed to reduce mass incarceration and improve rehabilitation programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. Harris also played a key role in shaping U.S. policy on issues like the Americans with Disabilities Act, voting rights, and healthcare. Her advocacy helped shape national debates on criminal justice reform and civil rights.

### Vice Presidency and National Policy
In 2020, Harris was elected as the 49th vice president of the United States, becoming the first woman, Black person, and Asian American to hold the office. As vice president, she focused on issues like criminal justice reform, climate change, and economic equity. She worked to expand access to healthcare, protect voting rights, and enforce civil rights laws. Harris also played a key role in shaping national policy on issues like the Americans with Disabilities Act and the "Justice Reinvestment Act." Her leadership has had a significant impact on U.S. politics and policy, breaking barriers for women, people of color, and Asian Americans in leadership roles.

### Awards and Recognition
Harris has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to law, politics, and public service. In 2021, she was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. She has also received honorary doctorates from Howard University and the University of Southern California. In 2022, she was awarded the Thurgood Marshall Award for her advocacy on behalf of civil rights and criminal justice reform.

### Personal Life and Legacy
Kamala Harris is married to Douglas Emhoff, a former White House aide and current White House communications director. She is the mother of two children, Malia and Sasha. Harris has written a memoir, *The Truths We Hold*, which reflects on her personal and professional journey. Her historic election as vice president has had a profound impact on U.S. politics, breaking barriers for women, people of color, and Asian Americans in leadership roles. Harris' career has been marked by a commitment to justice, equality, and public service, making her one of the most influential political figures of her generation.

## References

1. [KGO-TV. 2020](https://abc7news.com/who-is-kamala-harris-california-senator-bay-area-prosecutor/6365951/)
2. [Source](https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2020-08-12/kamala-harris-veepstakes-essential-california)
3. [Encyclopædia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kamala-Harris)
4. [How Kamala Harris’ immigrant parents shaped her life — and her political outlook. 2019](https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/02/10/kamala-harris-president-parents-shyamala-gopalan-donald-harris-berkeley/)
5. [Kamala Harris married in Santa Barbara ceremony. The Sacramento Bee. 2014](https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article2607685.html)
6. [AP Fact Check: Harris Eligible to Serve as VP, President. Voice of America. 2020](https://www.voanews.com/2020-usa-votes/ap-fact-check-harris-eligible-serve-vp-president)
7. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
8. [Senate Biography of Kamala D. Harris. United States Senate](https://www.harris.senate.gov/about)
9. [Source](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/joe-biden-elected-president/2020/11/07/53ec8726-1f0b-11eb-ba21-f2f001f0554b_story.html?itid=hp-banner-high)
10. [Source](https://cartwright.house.gov/presidential-inauguration-ticket-request)
11. [Source](https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2021-inauguration)
12. [Source](https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/inauguration-2021)
13. [Source](https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9)
14. [The Cabinet | The White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet/)
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17. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/person/kamala-harris-1964)
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19. [Source](https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2024/politics/presidential-candidates-dg/)
20. [Fact check: Kamala Harris was sworn in on the Bible, identifies as Baptist](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/08/15/fact-check-kamala-harris-sworn-bible-baptist/3374663001/)
21. [Speakers, Honorary Degree Recipients: 2000 to present. University of Southern California](https://commencement.usc.edu/history/2000-to-present/)
22. Recipients of Honorary Degrees and Other University Honors (by year). Howard University
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24. [The Wikipedia War That Shows How Ugly This Election Will Be](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/08/the-wikipedia-war-over-kamala-harris-race/615250/)
25. BlackPast.org
26. [Source](https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-fact-check-harris-did-not-switch-raci/fact-check-kamala-harris-did-not-switch-from-identifying-as-indian-american-to-black-idUSKBN25H1RC)
27. [Source](https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/08/18/key-findings-about-multiracial-identity-in-the-u-s-as-harris-becomes-vice-presidential-nominee/)
28. [Virtual International Authority File](http://viaf.org/processed/ISNI%7C0000000065826859)
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32. [Source](https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Sure-I-dated-Kamala-Harris-So-what-13562972.php)
33. [Source](https://www.sfweekly.com/news/kamalas-karma/)
34. [Source](https://nypost.com/2020/08/11/kamala-harris-ex-suggests-she-politely-decline-being-bidens-vp/)
35. [Source](https://cbc.house.gov/membership/)
36. [Here are the Bay Area homes where Kamala Harris used to live. 2024](https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/24/kamala-harris-real-estate-homes-oakland-berkeley-condo/)
37. [Kamala Harris on Twitter](https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1294380794127974412/photo/1)
38. SNAC
39. Library of Congress Authorities
40. GeneaStar
41. Google Knowledge Graph
42. [Source](https://www.voacantonese.com/a/us-vice-president-kamala-harris-attends-munich-security-conference-021724/7491837.html)
43. [Source](https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/For-SF-candidates-Chinese-name-can-spell-edge-at-9191703.php)
44. [Source](https://tuoitre.vn/pho-tuong-cua-ong-biden-chon-ten-la-ha-cam-le-20201010021721242.htm)
45. [Source](https://vnexpress.net/ly-do-nu-pho-tuong-cua-biden-chon-ten-tieng-trung-4151719.html)
46. [Source](https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/kamala-harris-indian-roots-remain-in-focus-back-home)
47. [Source](https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/kamala-harris-contracts-covid-19-president-biden-not-close-contact-20220427-p5agd0.html)
48. [Offices | Contact | U.S. Senator Kamala Harris of California. United States Senate](https://www.harris.senate.gov/contact/offices)
49. CONOR.SI
50. BBC Things