SIUE BIPOC Women Revel in the Victory of Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris
Exhilarated, buoyant, empowered, valued, regarded and visible are some adjectives that rushed to mind when several Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) women reflected on the historic news of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris being the first Black and Indian-American woman in line to hold the second highest office in the land.
President-elect Joe Biden emerged as the projected winner after the Nov. 3, 2020 presidential race, which netted the highest voter turnout in modern history with a projected 161 million people casting votes. Near the top of the record setting news for the election cycle was Biden’s running mate, the California senator born of immigrant parents – a father from Jamaica and a mother from India.
“I am overjoyed and thrilled to say for the first time ‘Madame Vice President,’” said Lakesha Butler, PharmD, clinical professor in the SIUE School of Pharmacy 
Department of Pharmacy Practice and the SOP Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Butler is also a member of the same Black sorority that Harris belongs to – Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. “She represents a variety of social identities that have been marginalized for centuries. To see someone who looks like me in the second highest office in this country not only motivates and gives me hope, but it also makes me extremely hopeful for my daughter, my students and all the females who thought this was not attainable. Kamala Harris has shattered a ceiling that has existed for more than 600 years.”
“The word exhilarate comes to mind when I think of this accomplishment,” replied Lydia Jackson, assistant to the provost for library and community engagement and associate professor at Lovejoy Library. “I not only feel a sense of pride, but also am equally pleased the vice president-elect was judged based on her exemplary qualifications, and the recognition that it is time to continue the Obama path of selecting more diverse leaders in the White House.”
“Kamala’s success is particularly poignant to me for a number of reasons,” said Gertrude Pannirselvam, PhD, associate professor in the School of Business Department of Management and Marketing and SIUE Anti-Racism Task Force core council member. “To see not just an Indian, but a person of Tamil heritage, and a woman in such a high office is extremely gratifying. To see and hear the words “sithi” (aunt) in the media, gives me so much hope that my biracial son now has another good reason to be proud of his Indian heritage. Kamala’s role to me is a marker for the coming together of Black and Indian heritages. What a great way to celebrate the role that the Black civil rights movement played in Indians like me finding a place in this country!”
“I feel excited and hopeful for an inclusive world,” commented Venessa A. Brown, PhD, associate chancellor and chief diversity officer. “It means that we are moving in the direction to do the hard work of working toward equity. As an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) graduate, I am proud of the Black women who are educated by these institutions, and as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., we are a group of Black women standing ready to serve this administration.”
“I feel seen,” said Makesha Harris Lee, EdD, SIUE’s CORE T.E.A.M. director. “When I look at her, I see myself. When I hear her speak, I hear my voice and my mom’s voice. I have gained a new role model in leadership.”
“I have feelings of absolute pride that this highly qualified Black, Indian-American woman has earned this opportunity to serve in this capacity,” added Carolyn Jason, interim director of the SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program and AKA sorority member. “I am grateful that Vice President-elect Harris has shown all of us, young people in general and young women specifically, the importance of being prepared for what your future holds for you.”
To the U.S government and country, School of Education, Health and Human Behavior Dean Robin Hughes, PhD, had this to say: “What took you so long? I am quoting another Black leader who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after serving as coach for approximately 50 years. Celebrating that the U.S. has finally recognized that leadership could and should extend beyond white males is long overdue.”
“I am ecstatic that young people in this lifetime will actually receive a message that women, multiracial individuals and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) can serve in leadership positions in the U.S.,” added Hughes.
“As a Black woman and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., I feel inspired that my sorority sister has been elected into the White House!” said Kelley Brooks, Admissions assistant director for campus visits and outreach. “I feel inspired to keep pushing when faced with difficult obstacles. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris represents strength for women of all ages and racial backgrounds. She represents courage and power!”
Photo courtesy USA Today: Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Top row (L-R): Robin Hughes, Gertrude Pannirselvam, Lakesha Butler and Venessa Brown. Bottom row (L-R): Lydia Jackson, Carolyn Jason, Kelley Brooks and Makesha Harris Lee.
