Vice President-elect Kamala Harris reflected on her role in history as the first woman, the first Black woman and the first Asian person to be elected to the office in her victory speech Saturday night.
Harris opened her speak saying, “Democracy is not a state; it is an act,” citing the late Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis.
“We the people have the power to build a better future,” Harris told the thousands in the crowd in the parking lot at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Deleware.
She thanked the campaign staff, poll workers and voters who made not just the Democratic victory possible, but the election in general, saying that in the time of the coronavirus, their actions were invaluable to defending democracy.
Harris said Biden’s “own sense of loss gave him a sense of purpose, just like our sense of loss gives us a sense of purpose.” Harris highlighted Biden’s strong family ties, as well as her love for her husband, step-children and sister.
Recognizing her role in history as the first woman, first Black woman and the first person of Asian to be on a winning major Party ticket, Harris proclaimed, “While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last.”
Harris said it was the time to start the hard work to heal the nation. “The road ahead will not be easy, but America is ready, and so are Joe and I.”