Kamala Harris, Vice President-Elect
Posted on November 09, 2020 by Meredith Woo
Dear Members of the Sweet Briar Community,
This weekend, an extraordinary event occurred in our nation’s history. Although the election results are not yet officially certified, Kamala Harris is on course to become the first woman to serve as the Vice President of the United States. Occurring in the one hundredth anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, it marks a milestone in women’s long march toward equality. As members of Sweet Briar College, an institution dedicated to women’s education and empowerment, we take pride in this breakthrough for American women.
Kamala Harris, the child of immigrants, grew up in Oakland, California. While she did not attend a women’s college, Harris earned her undergraduate degree from another institution dedicated to empowerment, Howard University, a historically black university. After earning her law degree from the University of California, Harris embarked on a distinguished career of public service that has been characterized by her advocacy for those facing injustice and marked by many accomplishments. She was the first African-American and the first woman to be elected as California’s Attorney General. In 2016, she was elected as a United States Senator from California, making her the second African-American woman and the first South Asian-American to serve in that body.
Regardless of whom we supported in this election I hope we will all be heartened by the words of unity and healing Joe Biden spoke on Saturday night, “I ran as a proud Democrat. I will now be an American president. I will work as hard for those who didn’t vote for me as I will for those who did.”
As we as a nation move forward, so too will Sweet Briar College. Let us be reassured that just as our political system is for all Americans, this College is for all of its community. Sweet Briar is a place of learning, where we are free to voice different opinions and points of view. We may not always agree with one another, but we will be united in our commitment to hear and respect all voices. Because we are one community. We are one Sweet Briar.
Sweet Briar, as well as America, is also a place of possibilities. As Senator Harris said on Saturday night, “…while I may be the first woman in this office, I won’t be the last.” She won’t be. And perhaps a Sweet Briar graduate – maybe even one of our current students – will be the woman to prove her right.
Sincerely,
Meredith Woo
President
Sweet Briar College
This weekend, an extraordinary event occurred in our nation’s history. Although the election results are not yet officially certified, Kamala Harris is on course to become the first woman to serve as the Vice President of the United States. Occurring in the one hundredth anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, it marks a milestone in women’s long march toward equality. As members of Sweet Briar College, an institution dedicated to women’s education and empowerment, we take pride in this breakthrough for American women.
Kamala Harris, the child of immigrants, grew up in Oakland, California. While she did not attend a women’s college, Harris earned her undergraduate degree from another institution dedicated to empowerment, Howard University, a historically black university. After earning her law degree from the University of California, Harris embarked on a distinguished career of public service that has been characterized by her advocacy for those facing injustice and marked by many accomplishments. She was the first African-American and the first woman to be elected as California’s Attorney General. In 2016, she was elected as a United States Senator from California, making her the second African-American woman and the first South Asian-American to serve in that body.
Regardless of whom we supported in this election I hope we will all be heartened by the words of unity and healing Joe Biden spoke on Saturday night, “I ran as a proud Democrat. I will now be an American president. I will work as hard for those who didn’t vote for me as I will for those who did.”
As we as a nation move forward, so too will Sweet Briar College. Let us be reassured that just as our political system is for all Americans, this College is for all of its community. Sweet Briar is a place of learning, where we are free to voice different opinions and points of view. We may not always agree with one another, but we will be united in our commitment to hear and respect all voices. Because we are one community. We are one Sweet Briar.
Sweet Briar, as well as America, is also a place of possibilities. As Senator Harris said on Saturday night, “…while I may be the first woman in this office, I won’t be the last.” She won’t be. And perhaps a Sweet Briar graduate – maybe even one of our current students – will be the woman to prove her right.
Sincerely,
Meredith Woo
President
Sweet Briar College