Kamala Harris, the first woman, first Black person, and first South Asian American to serve as vice president of the United States, was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. Her parents, Shyamala Gopalan Harris and Donald Harris, were both immigrants to the United States.
Shyamala Gopalan Harris was born in Chennai, India, in 1938. She was the daughter of P. V. Gopalan, a civil servant, and Rajam Gopalan, a homemaker. Shyamala studied economics at the University of Delhi and then moved to the United States to pursue a doctorate in nutrition and endocrinology at the University of California, Berkeley. It was there that she met Donald Harris, a Jamaican-American economics professor.
The couple married in 1963 and had two daughters, Kamala and Maya. Shyamala died of breast cancer in 2009. Donald Harris remarried in 2014 to Kym Dunbar, a lawyer and former television producer.
Kamala Harris's Parents: A Biography
Trailblazing Vice President's Immigrant Roots
- Indian mother, Jamaican father
- Both immigrants to the US
- Met at UC Berkeley
- Two daughters, Kamala and Maya
- Mother died of breast cancer in 2009
Kamala Harris's parents played a significant role in shaping her worldview and her commitment to public service. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, was a breast cancer researcher and activist, while her father, Donald Harris, was an economics professor and civil rights leader.
Indian mother, Jamaican father
Kamala Harris's mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, was born in Chennai, India, in 1938. She was the daughter of P. V. Gopalan, a civil servant, and Rajam Gopalan, a homemaker. Shyamala studied economics at the University of Delhi and then moved to the United States to pursue a doctorate in nutrition and endocrinology at the University of California, Berkeley.
Kamala's father, Donald Harris, was born in Jamaica in 1938. He is the son of Oscar Harris, a businessman, and Blossom Harris, a homemaker. Donald studied economics at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica and then moved to the United States to pursue a doctorate in economics at the University of California, Berkeley.
Shyamala and Donald met at UC Berkeley in the early 1960s. They were both active in the civil rights movement and shared a commitment to social justice. They married in 1963 and had two daughters, Kamala and Maya.
Kamala Harris has often spoken about the influence of her parents on her life and career. She has said that her mother taught her the importance of fighting for what she believes in, while her father taught her the importance of hard work and perseverance.
Kamala Harris's parents were both immigrants to the United States who achieved great things in their respective fields. They instilled in their daughter a strong work ethic and a commitment to public service. Kamala Harris has carried on their legacy by becoming the first woman, first Black person, and first South Asian American to serve as vice president of the United States.
Both immigrants to the US
Kamala Harris's parents, Shyamala Gopalan Harris and Donald Harris, were both immigrants to the United States. They came to this country in pursuit of opportunity and a better life for themselves and their children.
- Fled poverty and discrimination in their home countries:
Shyamala Gopalan Harris left India to escape the poverty and discrimination that she faced as a woman. Donald Harris left Jamaica to escape the racism and economic inequality that he experienced there.
- Embraced the American Dream:
Both Shyamala and Donald Harris believed in the American Dream, the idea that anyone can achieve success in the United States through hard work and perseverance. They came to this country with little money and few connections, but they were determined to make a better life for themselves and their families.
- Found success in their respective fields:
Shyamala Harris became a successful breast cancer researcher and activist. Donald Harris became a successful economics professor and civil rights leader. They both made significant contributions to their communities and to the United States as a whole.
- Raised a daughter who would become vice president:
Shyamala and Donald Harris raised a daughter, Kamala Harris, who would go on to become the first woman, first Black person, and first South Asian American to serve as vice president of the United States. Kamala Harris's parents instilled in her a strong work ethic, a commitment to public service, and a belief in the American Dream.
Kamala Harris's parents were both immigrants to the US who achieved great things in their respective fields. They instilled in their daughter a strong work ethic and a commitment to public service. Kamala Harris has carried on their legacy by becoming the first woman, first Black person, and first South Asian American to serve as vice president of the United States.
Met at UC Berkeley
Kamala Harris's parents, Shyamala Gopalan Harris and Donald Harris, met at the University of California, Berkeley in the early 1960s. They were both active in the civil rights movement and shared a commitment to social justice.
- Both graduate students:
Shyamala was pursuing a doctorate in nutrition and endocrinology, while Donald was pursuing a doctorate in economics.
- Activism brought them together:
Both Shyamala and Donald were involved in the civil rights movement. They participated in protests and rallies, and they worked to raise awareness about the issue of racial inequality.
- Shared values and beliefs:
Shyamala and Donald shared many of the same values and beliefs. They both believed in the importance of education, hard work, and social justice. They also shared a love of music and dance.
- Married in 1963:
Shyamala and Donald fell in love and were married in 1963. They had two daughters, Kamala and Maya.
Kamala Harris's parents met and fell in love at UC Berkeley. They shared a commitment to social justice and a love of learning. They raised two daughters who would go on to make significant contributions to the United States.
Two daughters, Kamala and Maya
Kamala Harris's parents, Shyamala Gopalan Harris and Donald Harris, had two daughters, Kamala and Maya. Kamala was born in Oakland, California, in 1964, and Maya was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1967.
Both Kamala and Maya were raised in a politically active household. Their parents were both involved in the civil rights movement, and they instilled in their daughters a strong sense of social justice. Kamala and Maya attended public schools in Berkeley, California, and they both went on to attend Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C.
Kamala Harris went on to become a lawyer and politician. She served as district attorney of San Francisco and attorney general of California before being elected to the United States Senate in 2016. In 2020, she was elected vice president of the United States, becoming the first woman, first Black person, and first South Asian American to hold that office.
Maya Harris is a lawyer and political commentator. She worked as a senior advisor on Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and as a visiting professor at Stanford Law School. She is currently a professor of law at the University of California, Berkeley.
Kamala and Maya Harris are both accomplished women who have made significant contributions to their communities and to the United States as a whole. They are a credit to their parents and to the values that they were raised with.
Mother died of breast cancer in 2009
Kamala Harris's mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, died of breast cancer in 2009 at the age of 70. Her death was a devastating loss for Kamala and her family.
Shyamala was a brilliant scientist and a passionate advocate for social justice. She was a role model for Kamala and Maya, and she instilled in them a strong work ethic and a commitment to making the world a better place.
Kamala has spoken publicly about the impact of her mother's death on her life. She has said that her mother's death taught her the importance of cherishing every moment with loved ones and of fighting for the things that you believe in.
In 2018, Kamala Harris co-sponsored the Breast Cancer Research STAMP Act, which would provide \$25 million in annual funding for breast cancer research. She has also spoken out about the need for affordable healthcare and for better access to cancer screenings and treatments.
Kamala Harris's mother was a strong and inspiring woman who made a significant contribution to her community and to the world. Her death was a great loss, but her legacy continues through her daughters and the work that they are doing.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Kamala Harris's parents:
Question 1: Who were Kamala Harris's parents?
Answer 1: Kamala Harris's parents were Shyamala Gopalan Harris and Donald Harris.
Question 2: Where were Kamala Harris's parents born?
Answer 2: Shyamala Gopalan Harris was born in Chennai, India, and Donald Harris was born in Jamaica.
Question 3: How did Kamala Harris's parents meet?
Answer 3: Kamala Harris's parents met at the University of California, Berkeley in the early 1960s.
Question 4: How many children did Kamala Harris's parents have?
Answer 4: Kamala Harris's parents had two daughters, Kamala and Maya.
Question 5: What did Kamala Harris's parents do for a living?
Answer 5: Shyamala Gopalan Harris was a breast cancer researcher and activist, and Donald Harris was an economics professor and civil rights leader.
Question 6: When did Kamala Harris's mother die?
Answer 6: Kamala Harris's mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, died of breast cancer in 2009.
Question 7: How did Kamala Harris's parents influence her life and career?
Answer 7: Kamala Harris's parents instilled in her a strong work ethic, a commitment to public service, and a belief in the American Dream. They also taught her the importance of fighting for what she believes in and of always standing up for what is right.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ
Kamala Harris's parents were two remarkable individuals who made significant contributions to their communities and to the United States as a whole. They raised two daughters who would go on to make a difference in the world.
In addition to the information provided in the FAQ, here are some additional tips for parents who are interested in raising children who are civically engaged and who have a strong sense of social justice:
Tips
Here are some practical tips for parents who are interested in raising children who are civically engaged and who have a strong sense of social justice:
Tip 1: Talk to your children about current events.
Help your children understand what is happening in the world around them by talking to them about current events. Explain the importance of staying informed and of being aware of the issues that are affecting their community and the world.
Tip 2: Encourage your children to get involved in their community.
There are many ways for children to get involved in their community, such as volunteering for a local organization, participating in a community service project, or running for student government. Encourage your children to find ways to make a difference in their community and to use their voices to speak up for what they believe in.
Tip 3: Teach your children about the importance of voting.
Voting is one of the most important ways that citizens can make their voices heard. Teach your children about the importance of voting and encourage them to register to vote when they are eligible. Talk to them about the candidates and the issues that are on the ballot, and help them understand why it is important to vote for candidates who share their values.
Tip 4: Be a role model for your children.
Children learn by watching the adults in their lives. If you want your children to be civically engaged and to have a strong sense of social justice, then you need to model those behaviors yourself. Talk to your children about the issues that you care about, and show them how you are working to make a difference in the world.
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Raising children who are civically engaged and who have a strong sense of social justice is not easy, but it is important. By following these tips, you can help your children develop the skills and values that they need to make a difference in the world.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris's parents were two remarkable individuals who raised two daughters who would go on to make a difference in the world. Parents who are interested in raising children who are civically engaged and who have a strong sense of social justice can follow the tips provided in this article.
Conclusion
Kamala Harris's parents, Shyamala Gopalan Harris and Donald Harris, were two remarkable individuals who raised two daughters who would go on to make a difference in the world. They instilled in their daughters a strong work ethic, a commitment to public service, and a belief in the American Dream. They also taught them the importance of fighting for what they believe in and of always standing up for what is right.
Parents play a vital role in shaping their children's values and beliefs. By following the tips provided in this article, parents can help their children develop the skills and values that they need to make a difference in the world.
Closing Message
It is important to remember that every child is different and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. However, by providing their children with love, support, and guidance, parents can help them reach their full potential and make a positive contribution to society.