She did n’t just shine out of a coconut palm tree diagram . Here ’s some context .

It’s been a big week for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Packed crowd erupts into chant of " WE’RE NOT GOING BACK ” when Vice President Harris mention Trump ’s Project 2025pic.twitter.com/Zo0kJtZ5GQ

Since many voters aren’t familiar with Harris’s background and achievements, here are 18 quick facts about the vice president turned presidential candidate:

1.Kamala Devi Harris was born on Oct. 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. Her mother,Shyamala Gopalan, was a biologist whose research informed advances in hormone-positive breast cancer treatment.

2.Her father,Donald J. Harris, is a professor of economics emeritus at Stanford. Donald J. Harris came to America from Jamaica in 1961.

3.Kamala Harris has one sibling, a younger sister. Born in 1967,Maya Lakshmi Harrisis a lawyer and writer.

4.The name Kamala means lotus, and it’s also another name forLakshmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity and beauty.

5.Her parents divorced when she was 7, and for the next few years, Harris lived with her mother and sister in Berkeley. She was one of a group of children of color who werebusedacross town to a majority-white school as part of 1960s desegregation efforts.

I would n’t be part of Kavanaugh ’s substantiation hearings had Chief Justice Warren not been on the Supreme Court to lead the consentaneous decisiveness in Brown v. Board . Had someone else been there , I may not have become a U.S. Senator . I sleep with the impact one Justice can have .

6.After her mother accepted a position at McGill University in Montreal, Harris went to junior high and high school in Canada. After high school, she returned to the US to attend college at the prestigious HBCU, Howard University.

7.Harris went on to attend law school at the University of California, Hastings College (now known as University of California College of the Law, San Francisco).

8.After passing the bar, Harrisworkedas an assistant district attorney for the Alameda prosecutor’s office. During this period, shespecializedin prosecuting cases of child sexual assault.

.@KamalaHarrisshares that her best friend in high schooling was being molested by her male parent . She travel on to differentiate in child sexual assault font as a prosecutor.pic.twitter.com/iBY6zqTrEn

9.In 1994, shedatedWillie Brown, then the Speaker of the California State Assembly and a two-time mayor of San Francisco. Though right-wing attacks paint the relationship as an extramarital affair, Brown had been estranged from his wife for over a decade by the time he and Harris dated.

10.In 1998, Harris went on to work as an assistant district attorney in San Francisco. She led the Career Criminal Division, where she supervised five attorneys prosecuting cases ranging from homicide and robbery to sexual assault.

11.In 2001, shedatedtalk show host Montel Williams, pictured here with Harris on the right, and his daughter Ashley Williams, left.

12.In 2003, Harris ran for district attorney in San Francisco andwon, beating out her former boss Terence Hallinan. She held this role for seven years, from 2004 to 2011.

13.In 2010, Harris ran for Attorney General of California and won. She served in this role from 2011 to 2017. She was the first woman, the first Black person, and the first person of South Asian descent to hold this office in California.

With all the former Kamala Harris clip go around , I ’m surprised this one has n’t popped up more : Harris set up the LA clerk to start braw marriages after Prop 8 was haltedHarris has been out front on LGBTQ issues long before many in the partypic.twitter.com/p6AhDbULXA

She also spoke and playact in backing of same - sex spousal relationship , piece of writing , " The Supreme Court has describe marriage as a rudimentary right 14 times since 1888 . The time has get along for this right to be afford to every citizen . "

14.In 2014, Harrismarriedentertainment lawyer and current second gentleman Doug Emhoff. The two met in 2013 when a friend of Harris set them up on a date. Harris is stepmom to Emhoff’s two kids, who affectionately call her"Momala."

15.In 2016, Harris won the election for senator of California. She served in this role from 2017 to 2021. She went viral during this period forquestioningJeff Sessions on Russia and for her sharp questions during theconfirmation hearingof Brett Kavanaugh.

" Do you agree that it is potential for humankind to both be friends with some women and treat other women badly?“Sen . Kamala Harris questioned Judge Brett Kavanaugh about the intimate rape allegations against him.pic.twitter.com/gPLYgFh9Sm

16.Harris ran for president in 2020 but ultimately dropped out of the race. In March 2020, sheendorsedPresident Joe Biden as a candidate who could “unify the people.” After pledging to choose a woman of color as his running mate, BidenannouncedHarris as his VP in August 2020.

17.When it comes to her personal style, Harris clearly feels at home in a sharp pantsuit.

18.Finally, when she’s not working, Harris enjoys cooking. In 2020, she shared a series of charming cooking videos on YouTube.

Celebs like Mindy Kaling andTop Chef ’s Tom Colicchio joined Harris in the kitchen for this series .

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Kamala Harris smiles while wearing a grey blazer and pearl necklace in front of a blue curtain

Kamala Harris attentively listens during a formal proceeding, dressed in a pinstripe suit. Several other people are seated in the background

Kamala Harris delivering a speech at an SFPD podium, flanked by officials including George Gascón and police officers in uniform

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Kamala Harris speaks passionately into a microphone, gesturing with her right hand, wearing a grey blazer and a black necklace

Doug Emhoff and Vice President Kamala Harris walk in a parade, smiling and wearing casual clothing with charity slogans

Joe Biden hugging Kamala Harris at a rally, surrounded by cheering supporters holding "Biden President" signs

Kamala Harris stands at a podium with the U.S. seal, smiling. The word "KAMALA" is prominently displayed on a screen behind her