“I’m thinking about her and about the generations of women — Black Women. Asian, White, Latina, and Native American women throughout our nation’s history who have paved the way for this moment tonight,” Harris said. “Women who fought and sacrificed so much for equality, liberty, and justice for all, including the Black women, who are too often overlooked, but so often prove that they are the backbone of our democracy.”
Harris praised the influence of everyday people who became more engaged in public life during the last four years out of fear and frustration at the Trump administration’s radical agenda.
“For four years, you marched and organized for equality and justice, for our lives, and for our planet. And then, you voted. You delivered a clear message,” she said. “You chose hope, unity, decency, science, and, yes, truth. And when our very democracy was on the ballot in this election, with the very soul of America at stake, and the world watching, you ushered in a new day for America.
Harris praised her new boss as “a healer, a uniter. A tested and steady hand.” Looking ahead, she vowed the new administration would attack the public health and economic challenges of the pandemic as well as the need to “root out systemic racism in our justice system and society” and tackle climate change concerns.
Like Biden, Harris made a point of calling for unity and national healing after the unusual coarseness of the past few years.
“No matter who you voted for, I will strive to be the vice president that Joe was to President Obama — loyal, honest, and prepared, waking up every day thinking of you and your families,” she said. “Because now is when the real work begins.”