How Kamala Devi Harris, Amanda Gorman, Michelle Obama Encourage Me to Dream Big

Kamala Devi Harris. Amanda Gorman. Michelle Obama. These three women are my role models. 

On January 20, 2021, I watched Kamala Devi Harris become our first female vice president. Our first Black American and first and South Asian American Vice President. I can’t tell you how proud I was to know that a woman was sitting in the second-highest office of our nation. She is showing girls all over the world that all dreams can come true, and they can be whoever they desire to be, with hard work and determination. 

First, let me express how proud I am to be a young girl to look up to role models such as Kamala Devi Harris. It’s truly incredible to see how far she has reached, now occupying a place in the White House, proving to each girl that hard work pays, and dreams to come true.When I watched the inauguration, something struck me. It was pure joy as I watched her look into the sky, staring at the fireworks. 

During the election season, Harris shared her values she inculcated from her mother. It showed how much she has learned during her tough times and how she raised through the ranks with determination and love for each and every American. I’m filled with happiness knowing that someone who represents my aims in life will lead us through the next four years with pride and passion. 

I am a young writer who enjoys expressing my feelings through words. Amanda Groman inspired me to continue this love for writing and be able to share my feelings with others.

On Inauguration Day, alongside President Joseph R. Biden and Vice President Kamala Devi Harris, Amanda Gorman, the first National Youth Poet Laureate, recited a poem. That poem transported me to another world. Ashe recited the poem, she used hand gestures, which told the story of our country. I was just so attracted to the way her words lined up together, taking the audience through her feelings and story. 

I am a young writer who enjoys expressing my feelings through words. Amanda Groman inspired me to continue this love for writing and be able to share my feelings with others. Though I’ve just learned about this outstanding poet, I would love to hear more of her writing. I feel delighted to know that someone like her exists in the public eye.

And then there was Michelle Obama. I’ve watched the former first lady help military families, and give speeches about how important it is for each girl to feel confident and assertive. I’ve seen her launch a program called “Let Girls Learn” to help young girls find their path into the world and have a real future. From 2009 to 2017, I watched Michelle Obama give speeches directly to me. Every word she said felt like it was being told to me. I’ve seen her create and be a part of various volunteering committees designated to help military families and create a structure where girls are educated. She has always been so determined to bring girls out of the dark and provide them with resources so that they can dream as well. Not only has she been invested in these programs, but she’s treated every American like her family and created an environment where members of the white house felt comfortable. 

When I saw both former president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama leave the White House, I really cried. 

They had one of the best administrations. “When they go low, we go high.” I remember hearing this, which impacted me in the best way possible. To this day, I apply these words in my everyday life. 

These women are who I want to be, who I aspire to be, who I dream of becoming. Each one of them has shown me a different light in the world. Their views, speech, and radiant personalities show what our country is. They reflect the young girls who strive to reach beyond their dreams. They show me that there’s more beyond what I believe.  They show me that even the dreams I have will come true one day. 

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Sanjog Kaur Dandona is a freshman at South Brunswick High School in New Jersey.