Biden pays tribute to wife, while Harris thanks women who ‘paved the way’

Two women will have the ear of the US president like never before, with Kamala Harris as vice- president and Dr Jill Biden as first lady.

Ms Harris is making history as the first female vice- president of the US, and paid tribute to the women who have paved the way for her during her victory speech.

The flotus-in-waiting, Dr Biden, has said she plans to continue teaching if she becomes first lady, and is also thought to be one of her husband’ s closest confidantes.

Ms Harris will be known as madam vice-president, a role that “is no longer a fictional character ”, as pointed out by Julia LouisDreyfus, who played vice president Selina Meyer in the HBO comedy Veep.

Addressing the nation, Ms Harris reflected on her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, who went to the US from India at the age of 19.

She said her mother “believed so deeply in an America where a moment like this is possible ”, adding: “So, 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.

“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.

“All the women who worked to secure and protect the right to vote for over a century, 100 years ago with the 19th Amendment, 55 years ago with the Voting Rights Act, and now, in 2020, with a new generation of women in our country who cast their ballots and continued the fight for their fundamental right to vote and be heard.

“Tonight, I reflect on their struggle, their determination and the strength of their vision, to see what can be unburdened by what has been – I stand on their shoulders.

“And what a testament it is to Joe’s character that he had the audacity to break one of the most substantial barriers that exists in our country and select a woman as his vice-president.”

In his speech, Mr Biden said he would be “honoured” to serve alongside Ms Harris and paid tribute to his wife.

“As I said many times before, I’m Jill’s husband,” he said, adding that he would not be where he is without the “love and tireless support” of her and their family.

“For America’s educators, this is a great day – you’re going to have one of your own in the White House, and Jill is going to make a great first lady,” he said.

Dr Biden, an educator of more than 30 years, earned a doctorate in education from the University of Delaware in 2007. She completed two masters’ degrees while working and raising a family.