At a young age, myself and many other girls are faced with the ugly reality of being a woman in today’s world. I fear going for walks alone (even in broad daylight) and have been told a countless number of times that, because I am a girl, I am not “strong” or “good enough” to do something. Growing up, it was extremely important to me that I had people to look up to of every gender. Up until this month, when Kamala Harris was elected vice president, there has been little representation for women in politics.

In 2010, Harris made history as the first woman, African-American and South Asian-American to serve as an attorney general in California. Then, in 2016, she was the first Indian-American woman elected to the United States Senate. Finally, in 2020, she was elected vice president of the United States. 

Though Harris has many flaws, her election as the first woman and person of color for vice president is monumental. This milestone is long overdue.

“But while I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last, because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities,” Harris said during her victory speech.

When Harris was elected vice president, I felt many things—most importantly hope. Hope for more women in places of power and hope for all of the other young girls to grow up in a world where our country’s leaders represent who the people of America actually are. Political views aside, a woman as the vice president is a greatly rewarding thing. The future is female.