Kamala Harris is famous primarily for breaking significant barriers in American politics and for her leadership on key national issues. She became the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to serve as Vice President of the United States, beginning her term on January 20, 2021[2]. Her political rise includes serving as District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California, and U.S. Senator from California before attaining the vice presidency[3][5].
Throughout her career, Harris has championed criminal justice reform, civil rights, voting rights, and healthcare. As District Attorney, she implemented programs to reduce truancy, focused on combating hate crimes, and achieved high conviction rates for serious offenses[1][5]. As California Attorney General, she negotiated a $25 billion settlement for homeowners affected by the mortgage crisis, launched initiatives to reduce re-offending, and prioritized data transparency and privacy rights[1][3].
As Vice President, Harris played a leading role on issues such as abortion rights, voting rights, gun safety, infrastructure, and economic recovery. Notably, she was a vocal advocate for protecting reproductive rights following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn federal abortion protections, took the lead in the Biden administration’s push for voting rights protections, helped pass the first meaningful gun safety law in decades, and promoted major investments in American infrastructure[2][4]. Harris is also recognized for her work abroad, representing the United States in meetings with world leaders and working to strengthen international alliances[2].