On the final night of the Democratic National Convention, Maya Harris, a prominent public policy advocate and lawyer, delivered a heartfelt speech that highlighted the influence of her late mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, on her and her sister, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Speaking to a national audience, Maya underscored how their mother’s values shaped Kamala’s leadership and resilience—qualities she believes make Kamala the right choice for the 2024 presidential election.
Maya began her remarks by reflecting on the lessons their mother imparted:
“Mommy understood the power and the possibility that comes with knowing and showing who you truly are. She knew we could be the authors of our own stories, just as she had been. That’s the opportunity she wanted for Kamala and me. That’s a distinctly American story.”
The speech underscored how Kamala Harris, much like her mother, knows what it’s like to be underestimated and to beat the odds. In a pointed contrast to GOP nominee Donald Trump, Maya stated:
“Where others want to drag us back to the past, my sister says, hold up—we are not going back.”
She closed her tribute by imagining how their mother would feel:
“I can just see her smiling, saying how proud she is of Kamala. And then, without missing a beat, she’d say, ‘that’s enough—you got work to do.’”
Who Is Maya Harris?
Maya Harris is a seasoned lawyer, public policy expert, and Democratic strategist from California.
A graduate of Stanford Law School, she served as a Senior Policy Advisor to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and has held academic positions as a law professor.
Notably, at just 29 years old, she became the dean and CEO of Lincoln Law School. Maya is Kamala Harris’ younger sister and has been a key figure in shaping her sister’s political journey.
Maya’s role in this year’s Democratic National Convention was crucial, as she served as one of the final speakers on the fourth night, emphasizing Kamala’s readiness to lead in what she called a “historic moment.”
Key Quotes from Maya Harris:
- “Kamala knows what it’s like to be underestimated and be counted out. She knows what it’s like to be the underdog, and yet still beat the odds.”
- “She has created so much electricity, so much optimism, so much joy throughout the nation. And it is why we need her leadership in this historic moment.”
The 2024 Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is being held from August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois. The main events are taking place at the United Center, the home arena of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks.
This marks the 12th time Chicago has hosted the DNC, the last being in 1996 when President Bill Clinton was nominated for a second term.
