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91ƵMaking history:91Ƶ Kamala Harris first Black woman to lead U.S. major-party ticket

4-day convention in Chicago built swell of excitement
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Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Democratic National Convention Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Kamala Harris is officially the first Black and South Asian woman to lead a major-party ticket after formally accepting the Democratic Party91Ƶs nomination Thursday.

If elected, she would become the first female U.S. president.

The history-making final night of the convention saw the vice-president give her keynote speech in front of a sea of supporters dressed in suffragette white 91Ƶ symbolizing when American women secured the right to vote in 1920.

91ƵI am so inspired. I am so hopeful. I just feel wonderful,91Ƶ said Satin Arnett from Washington State.

91ƵI feel like this is a chance of a lifetime. We are making history. I never thought that I would see this in my life, being a woman of colour.91Ƶ

While the white garments Thursday were reminiscent of Hillary Clinton91Ƶs iconic suit in 2016, when she accepted the Democratic Party91Ƶs presidential nomination, supporters say Thursday91Ƶs moment rang differently and America has changed.

During Clinton91Ƶs campaign, there was outrage around Trump91Ƶs comments about women and the Democratic candidate. But he was still able to pull in significant support from women.

Clinton, in her speech at the convention Monday, said after her loss 91Ƶwe refused to give up on America. Millions marched, many ran for office, we kept our eyes on the future.91Ƶ

91ƵWell, my friends, the future is here.91Ƶ

In 2020, after Trump91Ƶs four-year tenure, many women voters 91Ƶ particularly white women with college degrees 91Ƶ put their support behind President Joe Biden, helping him to clinch the White House.

But this year the president was struggling to hold onto apathetic voters exhausted by the thought of revisiting the Trump-Biden faceoff.

Since Biden removed himself from the presidential run, the polls have begun to move in the Democrats favour. Experts have said the biggest swings for Harris have come among women.

The four-day convention in Chicago built on that immense swell of excitement. Speakers told cheering supporters about Harris91Ƶ upbringing, accomplishments and her laughter. Democrats leaned into the idea of 91Ƶjoy,91Ƶ which the party has adapted since Harris took the helm.

Rumours, which proved to be untrue, swirled Beyoncé might perform at the convention. But major celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Kerry Washington and Mindy Kaling put their support behind the vice-president.

Civil rights leader Al Sharpton told the convention that he was a youth director for former Rep. Shirley Chisholm91Ƶs 1972 Democratic primary. Chisholm, who was Black, died in 2005.

91ƵI know she91Ƶs watching us tonight as a Black woman stands up to accept the nomination for president of the United States,91Ƶ Sharpton said during his speech.

Harris, herself, has largely stayed away from leaning into her identity. Instead talking authoritatively about issues such as reproductive rights and equality for all.

But supporters say she doesn91Ƶt have to address it. The historical moment is clear.

91ƵAs a woman who really supports women this is a monumentous moment,91Ƶ said Natasha Hampton from Ohio.

Matthew Lebo, a specialist in U.S. politics at Western University in London, Ont., said Democrats have done a very good job at maximizing the momentum.

But, he said, Clinton was also leading in the polls ahead of the 2016 election. Despite receiving nearly 2.9 million more votes than Trump, she lost the Electoral College.

91ƵThey need the people in that room, and the activists and campaign workers watching, to work all the way through the election,91Ƶ Lebo said.

Barbara Sharief, the Democratic nominee for Florida Senate, said seeing Harris on the ticket will inspire people, especially women, to mobilize.

91ƵWhat I think that Kamala Harris represents for our young girls out there is that you can aspire and reach to the highest office of the land,91Ƶ Sharief said.

91ƵI never thought I would see this in my lifetime and here we are today witnessing history.91Ƶ

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