On July 21, Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential election race. The question of who would fill the shoes as the Democratic nominee was quickly filled when he endorsed Kamala Harris, the former Attorney General and California Senator, Bay Area native and current Vice President. Harris promptly made headlines with her nomination, sparking increased voter interest within the Democratic party, and shifting polls in her favor, and away from former President Donald Trump. As a woman, as well as an African American and Southeast Asian, Harris stands out from the typical demographic of president-elects. Yet, she brings an appeal to new groups that have never, or rarely, been represented in the Oval Office.

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Marin City, located about five miles from Redwood, has a Black population of almost 40 percent and a white population of 6 percent; in contrast, Larkspur is only 1 percent Black and 85 percent white. Marin City was initially developed as segregated housing for African American shipyard workers during World War II, leading to systematic racial segregation and limited economic opportunities. Over the decades, discriminatory policies have contributed to the community’s underprivileged status.
Harris’s rise as a presidential candidate has had a particularly profound impact on communities like Marin City, including the students and staff at Willow Creek School. As a woman of color who broke political barriers, Harris offers these communities a powerful role model and strong representation from someone who looks like them. Ten-year-old fourth grader, Monet Hastings, is excited by the possibility of a female president and the changes that will come with it.

“If [Harris] wins, she will be the first Black female president. If she wins, this earth will have a good, big change,” Hastings said.
Fellow fourth grader Nyla Nicole also connects with Harris and hopes she becomes the next president.
“[Harris] potentially becoming president feels kind of strange, but at the same time, I feel very proud of her because she will be the first woman president,” Nicole said. “Whenever I see her on TV, she always smiles warmly. She looks super kind, but her words are also so powerful. I really hope she becomes president.”
Harris is inspiring not only to women of color but boys as well. Ten-year-old LeTavian Leon Jefferson is motivated by Harris’s success and has big plans for his future.
“[Harris] was the one who made me think that I could do anything. She’s the one who inspired me to want to make a video game because she makes me feel like I can even be a superhero,” Jefferson said. “[The debate was] pretty inspiring. It made me think about more than I usually do about what I can achieve in life,” Hastings said.
Debbie Mesloh is Harris’s longtime friend and former communications director. Mesloh highlights how Harris’s beliefs shape her leadership.
“It’s been so meaningful for her to live out her values. [Harris] believes in the fact that you define yourself. No one else does,” Mesloh said. “She has [always believed in] centering justice and equality. It’s always been central to her.”
Mesloh also comments on the challenges that being a woman and a person of color has presented in Harris’s life.
“Her being a person of color, biracial and a woman, is [all] fuel for the fire. Don’t tell her what she can or cannot do,” Mesloh said.
These same racial barriers that Harris has faced throughout her career are an everyday reality for Willow Creek’s students and staff. Her journey has inspired them, showing that breaking through systemic obstacles is possible.
Teacher’s assistant Ladonna Jones, who has been with the school district since 2014, sees Kamala as a role model for the kids and herself.

“[Having Harris as a presidential candidate is] motivational because she’s a woman. She’s looking out for things we, as women, deal with regarding our bodies. She’s also into understanding poverty, and low-income and people in this world who want to survive and want to be able to get their kid to college but don’t have the money. I’m one of those women. I am ecstatic,” Jones said.
Lawana Cook, another teacher’s assistant, recognizes the impact Harris, the party nominee, has had and will continue to have on the kids.
“It will be awesome for the kids to see that a woman can do anything. If a woman can become the president of the United States, they can just accomplish all goals, and anything’s possible. She is paving the way for all women of color,” Cook said.
Jones also notices that when Harris gets brought up in conversation, she becomes a motivator for them.
“When I ask the kids, ‘What do you think about a woman of color becoming president?’ Many open their eyes wide and think, ‘Oh, women can do anything, too.’ Anything a man can do, a woman can too,” Jones said. “As a Black woman and as a Black person, it’s hard. You don’t always have motivators, so [Harris] is really special.”
Not only are they inspired by her identity, but her achievements as well. Nicole finds that Kamala is special because she graduated from college. Pew Research states that only 20.8 percent of African Americans possess a college degree, and Harris, as one of them, inspires the future generation.
“[Harris] graduated from college. I hope to one day also,” Nicole said.
Willow Creek Principal David Finnane emphasizes how important this time is for students of color and how Harris’s achievements should be celebrated in a classroom setting.
“It’s super important that all of our teachers stop and have conversations with the kids about this incredible historical moment, with regard to [Harris.] When kids can see themselves in the content they’re studying in school or the people providing the content, it’s more impactful than hearing it from someone or about someone they don’t see as something they can become,” Finnane said.
Harris’s influence inspires people of color, women and all students by breaking barriers and showing that anything is possible.
“I really hope she becomes president,” Nicole said, echoing the hope that Harris’s path continues to inspire youth of color.
For some students like Hastings, Harris’s accomplishments are a reminder that dreams, no matter how big or small, are within reach.
“I want to become a vet. I hope someday I could help [Harris] if she has a cat and it gets sick,” Hastings said.