SHE WENT TO WESTMOUNT HIGH
Inauguration of Vice-President Kamala Harris stirs pride in Montreal
© Provided by Global News Kamala Harris is sworn in as vice president by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as her husband Doug Emhoff holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Kamala Harris made history on Wednesday as the first woman to become vice-president of the United States. She is also the first woman of colour and the first woman of south-Asian descent to hold the office.
Watched around the world, the inauguration ceremony was celebrated in Montreal -- the place Harris once called home.
"It was so chilling and moving," said Wanda Kagan, a classmate of Kamala Harris while they both attended Westmount High.
"She called just before being sworn-in, having those few special moments of conversation on the eve before going in is what I think had me much more emotional than I expected, tears and all."
Read more: Kamala Harris makes history as America’s first woman vice president
It's in Westmount High that one can argue the seed to serve was implanted for Harris.
Kagan and Harris were best friends while they both attended the school. She says Harris helped her get through an abusive situation in her home.
Years later, Harris became a prosecutor, saying she was inspired by her friend: "to protect people like her," Harris said in a video released in September.
"It's an amazing feeling for me," Kagan said. "I've always known how much she impacted my life, but to know that I impacted her career path and her path to the White House ... That made it all the more special."
Video: Biden inauguration: Kamala Harris takes vice-presidential oath of office
At the new vice-president's alma mater, Westmount High students took some time off school to watch the historic moment unfold.
“The energy has been absolutely palpable the past few weeks in the school,” said Westmount High Grade 10 student AJ Itovitch.
“There's such an amazing sense of pride watching one of our own Knights be sworn in."
Itovich said that over the past few weeks, students put up flyers and posters, "doing all we can to just take in all of this.”
"It's just that sudden feeling when you look around you in your classroom and you think to yourself, 'one of us could be the next Kamala Harris,'" Itovich said after watching the inauguration.
Read more:
Kamala Harris made history on Wednesday as the first woman to become vice-president of the United States. She is also the first woman of colour and the first woman of south-Asian descent to hold the office.
Watched around the world, the inauguration ceremony was celebrated in Montreal -- the place Harris once called home.
"It was so chilling and moving," said Wanda Kagan, a classmate of Kamala Harris while they both attended Westmount High.
"She called just before being sworn-in, having those few special moments of conversation on the eve before going in is what I think had me much more emotional than I expected, tears and all."
Read more: Kamala Harris makes history as America’s first woman vice president
It's in Westmount High that one can argue the seed to serve was implanted for Harris.
Kagan and Harris were best friends while they both attended the school. She says Harris helped her get through an abusive situation in her home.
Years later, Harris became a prosecutor, saying she was inspired by her friend: "to protect people like her," Harris said in a video released in September.
"It's an amazing feeling for me," Kagan said. "I've always known how much she impacted my life, but to know that I impacted her career path and her path to the White House ... That made it all the more special."
Video: Biden inauguration: Kamala Harris takes vice-presidential oath of office
At the new vice-president's alma mater, Westmount High students took some time off school to watch the historic moment unfold.
“The energy has been absolutely palpable the past few weeks in the school,” said Westmount High Grade 10 student AJ Itovitch.
“There's such an amazing sense of pride watching one of our own Knights be sworn in."
Itovich said that over the past few weeks, students put up flyers and posters, "doing all we can to just take in all of this.”
"It's just that sudden feeling when you look around you in your classroom and you think to yourself, 'one of us could be the next Kamala Harris,'" Itovich said after watching the inauguration.
Read more:
U.S. vice president-elect Kamala Harris congratulated by students of her Montreal alma mater
For A'Dejah Edouarzin Merriman, a Grade 11 student, watching Harris shatter a glass ceiling by becoming the first woman of colour to hold the office was an inspiring moment: "seeing people like me out there and knowing that I can do that too," she said.
As the task ahead to heal a nation divided seems huge, Harris can always look back to her former home for encouragement, where a legion of fans and friends stand behind her, cheering her on.
"If anybody can do it, she can do it," said Trevor Williams, who went to Westmount High with Harris's sister. "She's going to do a great job, I'm rooting for her."
Video: Biden Inauguration gives Americans in Montreal high hopes
For A'Dejah Edouarzin Merriman, a Grade 11 student, watching Harris shatter a glass ceiling by becoming the first woman of colour to hold the office was an inspiring moment: "seeing people like me out there and knowing that I can do that too," she said.
As the task ahead to heal a nation divided seems huge, Harris can always look back to her former home for encouragement, where a legion of fans and friends stand behind her, cheering her on.
"If anybody can do it, she can do it," said Trevor Williams, who went to Westmount High with Harris's sister. "She's going to do a great job, I'm rooting for her."
Video: Biden Inauguration gives Americans in Montreal high hopes
Cartoonist elated 'Kamala in Canada' included in Canadian Biden inauguration event
© Provided by The Canadian Press
WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg cartoonist says he is honoured to play a small role in a historic moment after his comic book about U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris was included in a Canadian celebration of Joe Biden's inauguration.
“Kamala in Canada” by Kaj Hasselriis was part of a swag bag given to people who attended a virtual inauguration event at the United States embassy in Ottawa.
The comic follows Harris during her time living in Montreal as a teenager.
Hasselriis says he was inspired when he heard how a young Harris staged a protest after her landlord banned kids in her apartment building from playing soccer in the courtyard.
He says many kids may have given up, but Harris chose to take action.
Hasselriis says he hopes the book shows children that they can make change happen and inspires them to get involved in politics.
“It’s useful for them to know that politicians were once kids themselves,” he said. “And if you are a kid, that means you could one day grow up to become a leader.”
Hasselriis decided to create the comic when Biden named Harris as his running mate. It was published just before the vice-presidential debate in October.
Harris lived in Montreal for five years from the age of 12 until she graduated from Westmount High School in 1981.
Hasselriis said his book also looks at the climate around the Quebec referendum in 1980 and how that may have affected the new vice-president's view of politics.
“There’s no way that Kamala Harris could have lived as a teenager in Montreal without having this huge political issue hanging over her head,” he said.
Hasselriis previously wrote a comic called “Politikids” which tells childhood stories about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and former Green party leader Elizabeth May.
In the lead up to the 2019 Canadian federal election, he was able to deliver a copy to each of the politicians during their stops in Winnipeg.
Hasselriis said he’s not sure if Harris has seen the book about her childhood in Canada yet. He sent a copy to her Senate office after it was published.
Copies of the book were also purchased by the U.S. consulate in Montreal.
Hasselriis said he hopes the comic will make it into the vice-president’s hands one day. But for now, he’s happy to know that it was included in the inauguration celebrations at the U.S. embassy in Canada.
“What it means is that they are celebrating the election of the first woman vice-president, the first woman of colour, the first Black woman,” Hasslriis said.
“It’s a historic moment. It’s a big deal.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 21, 2021
Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press
WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg cartoonist says he is honoured to play a small role in a historic moment after his comic book about U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris was included in a Canadian celebration of Joe Biden's inauguration.
“Kamala in Canada” by Kaj Hasselriis was part of a swag bag given to people who attended a virtual inauguration event at the United States embassy in Ottawa.
The comic follows Harris during her time living in Montreal as a teenager.
Hasselriis says he was inspired when he heard how a young Harris staged a protest after her landlord banned kids in her apartment building from playing soccer in the courtyard.
He says many kids may have given up, but Harris chose to take action.
Hasselriis says he hopes the book shows children that they can make change happen and inspires them to get involved in politics.
“It’s useful for them to know that politicians were once kids themselves,” he said. “And if you are a kid, that means you could one day grow up to become a leader.”
Hasselriis decided to create the comic when Biden named Harris as his running mate. It was published just before the vice-presidential debate in October.
Harris lived in Montreal for five years from the age of 12 until she graduated from Westmount High School in 1981.
Hasselriis said his book also looks at the climate around the Quebec referendum in 1980 and how that may have affected the new vice-president's view of politics.
“There’s no way that Kamala Harris could have lived as a teenager in Montreal without having this huge political issue hanging over her head,” he said.
Hasselriis previously wrote a comic called “Politikids” which tells childhood stories about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and former Green party leader Elizabeth May.
In the lead up to the 2019 Canadian federal election, he was able to deliver a copy to each of the politicians during their stops in Winnipeg.
Hasselriis said he’s not sure if Harris has seen the book about her childhood in Canada yet. He sent a copy to her Senate office after it was published.
Copies of the book were also purchased by the U.S. consulate in Montreal.
Hasselriis said he hopes the comic will make it into the vice-president’s hands one day. But for now, he’s happy to know that it was included in the inauguration celebrations at the U.S. embassy in Canada.
“What it means is that they are celebrating the election of the first woman vice-president, the first woman of colour, the first Black woman,” Hasslriis said.
“It’s a historic moment. It’s a big deal.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 21, 2021
Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press
No comments:
Post a Comment