A Scientist An Activist And A Mother

Shyamala Gopalan Harris: A Trailblazing Woman of Color

A Scientist, an Activist, and a Mother

Shyamala Gopalan Harris, the mother of Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris, was an extraordinary woman who dedicated her life to science, activism, and family.

Born in Chennai, India, in 1938, Shyamala Gopalan earned a PhD in nutrition and endocrinology from the University of California, Berkeley. She became a respected biomedical scientist, working at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

In addition to her scientific career, Shyamala Gopalan was a passionate activist for social justice. She was a founding member of the Asian American Research Centre and participated in the civil rights movement. She believed in the importance of education and accessible healthcare for all.

As a mother, Shyamala Gopalan raised two remarkable daughters, Kamala and Maya Harris. She instilled in them a love of learning, a commitment to service, and a strong sense of identity. Kamala Harris has often credited her mother as her inspiration and role model.

Shyamala Gopalan Harris passed away in 2009, but her legacy continues to inspire. She was a trailblazing woman of color who made significant contributions to science, activism, and society. Her daughter, Vice President Kamala Harris, is now following in her footsteps, working to make a positive impact on the world.

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