BY Faith Clanton
Sep. 26, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris’s candidacy for president is incredibly inspiring to me. As a sixth-grade student at Girard College, seeing a woman with her background and achievements aim for such a significant role, after already breaking a 231-year-long male monopoly on the vice presidency, motivates me to reach for the stars.
Kamala Harris is a strong, smart woman who demonstrates that girls from diverse backgrounds can be leaders too. Growing up, I haven’t seen many people in government or on TV who reflect my experiences. Most of the leaders I learn about in school are men or people from different backgrounds. But Kamala Harris is different. Her presence on the ballot signifies that someone who understands what it’s like to navigate multiple identities in America is poised to make impactful decisions.
Kamala Harris has had to work incredibly hard to get to where she is today, despite facing numerous challenges, including unfair criticisms about her time in San Francisco and baseless rumors about her qualifications. She was a lawyer, then the district attorney for San Francisco, attorney general of California, U.S. Senator, now she’s both our vice president and the Democratic candidate for President. Her educational journey took her from Howard University to UC Law San Francisco, demonstrating that with determination and perseverance, we can achieve our dreams too. Her story teaches me not to give up, even when things are tough.
One aspect that particularly stands out about Kamala Harris is her commitment to issues that affect my community. She advocates for improving schools, making healthcare accessible to everyone, and ensuring fair treatment regardless of skin color. Her words, “Our unity is our strength, and our diversity is our power,” resonate deeply with my family and me. Knowing that someone in power is championing these causes gives me hope for the future.
When Kamala Harris speaks, I feel represented and heard. Her confidence and strength inspire me to be more confident and assertive myself. Watching her on stage, I believe that one day, I too can make a difference. Her candidacy has drawn attention to the experiences and struggles of Black girls and other girls of color, highlighting the unique challenges we face, like underfunded schools and limited access to nutritious food in our communities.
On a personal level, Kamala Harris inspires me to dream big. I aspire to be a lawyer and work in the criminal justice field to help people with their unjust cases. Seeing Kamala Harris as the first woman, Black person, and South Asian to serve as vice president, breaking historic barriers and playing a crucial role in shaping policy, reinforces my belief that my dreams are achievable, no matter the obstacles.
Her candidacy has also brought my family closer together. We discuss her impact over dinner and watch her speeches, drawing inspiration and pride from her achievements.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris’s run for president is profoundly meaningful to me. It proves that girls from diverse backgrounds can achieve great things and fosters hope for a fairer future. As Kamala herself said, “Dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourselves in a way others may not.”
Kamala Harris is not just a role model: She is a beacon of possibility for me and many others, and for that, I am truly grateful.
Faith Clanton is a straight-A sixth grader at Girard College known for her entrepreneurial spirit, ambition and creativity from a young age. Faith’s ability to balance her academic responsibilities with her business endeavors is truly inspiring, making her a standout example of hard work, passion, and potential. (Faith’s proud mom Kenyetta Granger wrote this bio.)
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