Christine de Pizan

Christine de Pizan
The Writer Christine de Pizan at Her Desk

Saturday, November 7, 2020

Kamala Harris, Madam Vice President

Kamala Harris, the First


In 2008, when she lost the Democratic primary, Hillary Clinton noted: "Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks in it." And, she predicted, "The path will be easier next time."

Eight years later, Clinton became the first woman to lead a major political party presidential ticket. And again she was defeated. But like her feminist foremothers who fought for the vote for women, she did not give up. "To all the women and especially the young women who put their faith in this campaign and in me, I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion," she said when she conceded. "Now, I know, I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday, someone will."

Welp, today is the day, Kamala Harris is the woman, and, as she promises, “I may be the first woman to hold this office. But I won’t be the last.”

Fitting that it is in 2020, one hundred years after the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment--when women took the right to vote!

Kamal Harris, appearing for the first time after her election
(image from The Guardian, 
Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images)