What the inauguration of Kamala Harris means for working women

This is Working Together, a weekly series on equity in the workplace. Have ideas about what we should discuss next week? Let me know in the comments using #WorkingTogether or email me at [email protected]. 

Today is inauguration day in the United States. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will take over the Oval Office from President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

Regardless of your politics, the election of Harris — not only the first female but the first Black and South-Asian American vice president of the United States —is a historic moment. For millions of working women, they have yet to see someone who looks like them hold a leadership position within their company, yet alone a critical role in public office like the vice presidency. Women comprise just 27% of seats of Congress. And Black women, who make up 7.4% of the U.S. population, hold 1.6% of vice president roles in corporate America and 1.4% of C-suite positions.

I asked several members of the Working Together community to share what Harris becoming vice president means to them. 

‘Hard to articulate’

I am so overwhelmed by this moment in history, that it's hard to articulate. I have a framed picture in my home office of Shirley Chisholm. Because of Shirley's courageous leadership--she was able to create space for Vice President Kamala Harris to secure her seat at the table. And because of Vice President Kamala Harris's courageous leadership, she will be able to create a seat for us all. As a Black woman, it's not every day you get to see yourself reflected in one of the most important leadership positions in our country. Vice President Harris doesn't go into the White House alone, she is taking every woman of color with her! My only hope is that corporate America will start to intentionally make strides to replicate the same diversity at their tables. -- Minda Harts, Founder and CEO of The Memo

‘An extraordinary change maker’

About a decade ago, I was having dinner in Malibu with two women - one, a girlfriend of mine named Chrisette and the other, was Chrisette's best friend - a woman named Kamala Harris who was running for State Attorney General of California. I was so impressed with this woman because her conversation was about service...helping people struggling with the common basic necessities - food, shelter, healthcare.I knew my new friend, Kamala, was destined to be an extraordinary change maker - a woman who would make history someday and use her influence to help make the world a better place. Fast forward, and I am beaming with pride. Knowing that many young girls will be watching this historic moment and see themselves breaking glass ceilings. They will know that, "yes" it can be done. -- Shaun Robinson, Founder of Shaun Robinson Media

'She’s also a human being...Let’s remember that.'

Kamala Devi Harris makes history today. There’s never been anyone like her at the top levels of government. When she is sworn in by Justice Sotomayor, Black and brown girls across this country will see new possibilities for themselves.   

Vice President Harris is smart, compassionate, fearless, and unapologetically ambitious. She’s a leader, and she’s going to make every day in the White House count.

She’s also a human being. She’ll make mistakes, like all leaders do from time to time. The weight of history riding on her shoulders doesn’t give her superpowers. They just make it harder to clear the higher-than-high expectations we’re placing on her. Let’s remember that.

And let’s remember that there are many Kamala Harrises out there – brilliant, talented women of color who are ready to lead. They just need a chance. They just need support. I hope every business leader in America watches our next vice president take the oath today – then turns around and makes a real commitment to lift up the women of color in their workplace. -- Rachel Schall Thomas, Co-founder & CEO of LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org

‘Everything feels possible’

For the little girl I once was, who had doubts about what was possible and lacked the role models to serve as a true guiding light, this moment is both joyous and a little bittersweet. Kamala Harris’s appointment feels like a culmination of all our hopes and dreams, all of our hard work manifested in one woman. It is with so much pride that I get to tell my son today why this is so momentous. And I’m excited for all this can mean for his own goals and aspirations and for all the little boys and girls who get to see a Black woman as a symbol of strength, intelligence, empathy, joy, ambition and power. Because of her we can all continue to dream big. Everything feels possible. -- Dee Poku, Founder and CEO of The WIE Suite

‘Tough enough for the moment’

I'm cautiously optimistic about Kamala because she's tough enough for the moment; however the current climate seems ripe for more chaos, distraction, and obstruction, so we'll see if we get any of the things done that really need to get taken care of soon. That said, her past as a prosecutor will hopefully demonstrate that she's not scared to take on difficult problems, and will hopefully bring more gravitas to the government that's been lacking. -- Bea Arthur, Founder and CEO of The Difference 

Now I want to hear from you: What does the appointment of Kamala Harris mean to you? Let me know in the comments below using #WorkingTogether