What does Kamala Harris’ candidacy for vice president mean for women of color in America?

It wasn’t necessarily a surprise to insiders, but Joe Biden’s announcement that Sen. Kamala Harris will be his running mate in the 2020 presidential election took America by storm.

News outlets, pundits and posters to social media all took to different mediums to discuss the historical significance of a female woman of color being on the ballot and what this means for America.

Harris has broken through the glass ceiling that still existed for those seeking the office of vice president, but she is just one of several females from minority communities who are making an impact on the makeup of modern American politics.

In many recent elections, Black women voters have voted overwhelmingly for Democrats, and had the highest turnout rate among all racial, ethnic and gender groups between 2008 and 2012, according to The New York Times.

Women of color are an emerging force in politics, but is America ready to elect a woman of color to vice presidency?

It will be an interesting campaign. With Biden and Harris facing President Donald Trump and amid a global pandemic, this will be one of the most hotly followed and unconventional quests for the White House in history.

If you are a journalist covering this topic, then let an expert from Augusta University help with your story.

Dr. Mary-Kate Lizotte is an expert in political behavior and the implications of gender differences in public opinion, including society’s views of female candidates of color. She is available to talk about the upcoming election and all aspects surrounding each campaign. Click on her name to schedule an interview.