How a Kamala Harris Presidency Would Empower South Asian American Girls Like Ourselves

Kamala Harris’ presidency represents a transformative moment for young girls, particularly those from underrepresented communities, showing us that the highest offices of power are no longer out of reach. Her ascent from a multi-ethnic, immigrant background to the White House breaks long-standing barriers, providing a real-life example of how perseverance, education, and dedication to public service can lead to unprecedented opportunities for future generations of women and girls. As young South Asian women in this country, Kamala Harris’s representation inspires us to envision paths we’ve too often seen as being beyond our reach. 

Unlike many other countries, the United States has never elected a female head of state. Notably, 174 women have led as heads of state or government in approximately 87 countries. While women have repeatedly sought nominations for the U.S. presidency, to date, only three women have succeeded in securing the nomination for the vice presidency – and Vice President Harris was the only successful candidate. The inauguration of Vice President Harris was a moment where we saw someone who looked like us at one of the highest levels of political office, and the power of this representation cannot be understated.

Vice President Harris brings with her a lifetime of fighting for justice, a commitment to bridging divides, and a strong vision for a better future for all Americans. She took on the big banks to deliver $20 billion for middle-class families who faced foreclosure and helped pass a homeowner bill of rights in California, one of the first of its kind in the nation. During her Vice Presidency, unions representing auto workers achieved record wages, highlighting this administration’s support for worker organizing and collective bargaining. And at a time when women’s access to essential health services has been severely restricted and continues to be at risk, Vice President Harris’ unwavering support for reproductive freedom is essential for the health and safety of families. 

For decades, Vice President Harris has given us her voice, and now we must give her ours. There are close to 400,000 eligible voters of South Asian descent in ten battleground states. In 2020, 71% of eligible voters who identify as Indian American did, in fact, vote. Over the next two weeks, let’s challenge ourselves to up this percentage even more and increase our turnout for her. In particular, at a time when former President Trump continues to attack and demean women (in the guise of being a “protector”), we must show our power and our ability to protect ourselves. The poll shows that 69% of women ages 18 to 29 favor Vice President Harris – now we must translate this to votes. We are two Indian-American teenagers (not yet of voting age) and we ask our brothers and sisters in our community to make their voices heard. Though we cannot vote, we ask you to think of us, of your loved ones, and of your country, as you ensure you’re registered, make a plan, and come out to vote on November 5th.

We see ourselves in Vice President Harris. She is a resilient woman who embraces her identity, culture, and gender, says her South Asian name with pride, and is a shining example of a proud bi-racial attorney who has dedicated her life to public service. It has been exciting to grow up in a time when South Asian culture is starting to become mainstream with shows like “Never Have I Ever” and the release of Mattel’s Diwali Barbie. Yet, it’s even more exciting to have an example of a strong leader in Vice President Harris to forge a path into the future and inspire us to believe that we can accomplish anything. Let’s make Harris the first female President – and then make sure that she is not the last. It’s about Madam Time. 

See Also

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’ Contributes to a Broader Cultural Narrative That Normalizes Toxic Male Behavior

Anya Ramani is a high school junior at Menlo School in Atherton, CA. She is the assistant news editor for her school’s newspaper, the Coat of Arms, runs varsity cross country and track & field, and leads her school’s branch of the Red Cross Club. She has an interest in politics and joined South Asians for America to support Vice President Harris’ campaign for the upcoming election.

Sowmya Boominathan is 15 years old and is a freshman at the School Without Walls High School in Washington D.C. Though she cannot vote in this year’s presidential election, she has actively participated in fundraising, phone banking, and canvassing for Vice President Harris. Sowmya is the granddaughter of South Asian immigrants and traces her roots to Tamil Nadu, India.