Kamala Harris: A Political Trailblazer from Childhood

Early Years in Berkeley

Kamala Devi Harris was born in Oakland, California on October 20, 1964. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a Tamil Indian biologist renowned for her work on progesterone. A photograph from 1986 captures a young Kamala Harris in Berkeley's Madame Bovies ballet class, surrounded by her friends.

From Howard University to the White House

In 1986, while attending Howard University, Harris posed for a photograph with two friends, all sporting shoulder pads and plaid. These early images provide a glimpse into the formative years of a future political icon.

Harris's journey from a young ballet dancer to the first female and first African American Vice President of the United States is a testament to her resilience and determination. This retrospective highlights the humble beginnings of a woman who has blazed a trail for women of color in politics.