On January 20, 2021 Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first Black and South Asian woman as Vice President of the United States. Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff is the first Second Gentleman to serve in the White House. Many people around the world were watching Vice President Harris being sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

As I watched the inauguration, I was crying in happiness when Vice President Harris was sworn in. I always wanted to see a woman who is a person of color hold the highest level of office. This is the first time that Vice President Harris had broken the cycle because every single Vice President that held office were men.

President Biden had kept his promise to choose a female for Vice President and the wish was granted. I was very excited when President Biden chose Kamala Harris as Vice President. It can also show that millions of young girls and women around the world see that they can have opportunities for leadership or federal offices in the future.

It took 36 years to have a female to be Vice President. In 1984, Walter Mondale chose Geraldine Ferraro making her the first female candidate to run for Vice President, but lost in the 1984 Presidential to Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. In 2008, Senator John McCain chose Sarah Palin to be Vice President, but lost in the 2008 Presidential Election to Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Former presidents and first ladies were also present at the inauguration including Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton. Jimmy Carter and Rosalyn Carter were not able to attend because of age and not being able to travel.

It is a historic moment for millions of people to watch the inauguration. Many young people, specifically people of color, will look up to Kamala Harris as being a role model to them. This is breaking a barrier to have a first female person of color to serve in the White House.