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The first Black and Indian-American woman to represent California in the United States Senate, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris grew up believing in the promise of America and fighting to make sure that promise is fulfilled for all Americans. Harris’ father immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica to study economics and her mother immigrated from India. Harris’ mother told her growing up, “Don’t sit around and complain about things, do something,” which is what drives Harris every single day.

In 2010, Harris became the first Black woman to be elected Attorney General of California, overseeing the country’s second largest Justice Department after the U.S. Department of Justice. In this capacity, she managed a $735 million budget and oversaw more than 4,800 attorneys and other employees. As California Attorney General, Harris fought for families and won a $20 billion settlement for California homeowners against big banks that were unfairly foreclosing on homes.

Harris graduated from Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and earned a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law.