Connect with us

Eugene

Young women in Eugene react to Kamala Harris making history as first female VP-Elect

Published

on

The 2020 election really was historic in so many ways.

Record voters, and record young voters, turned out this year. And of course, Kamala Harris will be the first-ever female Vice President. We spoke with women in our community about what this milestone means.

100 years after most American women gained the right to vote, Kamala Harris will be the first female Vice President, and young women in Eugene are here for it.

“Over the moon so excited,” said Harper Marquis and Lilly Gavin, two first-time voters. “It’s such an amazing accomplishment and I hope that it sparks so much more change within politics.”

Harris will also be the first Black and the first South-Asian VP.

“Symbolically for women and young women coming from immigrant communities this is huge,” said Michell McKinley, a UO Law Professor. “Representation really matters, possibilities matter.”

“Having that extra step of like inclusivity in our government for the first time, it’s amazing and I’m so excited,” said Kately Fessenden, a Political Science Major at the UO. “And I know like she’s gonna be such a motivating factor for so many women out there.”

Young voters like Fessenden turned out in record numbers this election, many of them for the first time.

“This is really on a new generation and I am so proud of the work that young folks are doing,” Fessenden said.

“I feel like we’re very big advocates for what we all believe in which is very good.”

Many women looking forward to the kind of change they say Harris represents.

“We can take a moment to celebrate where we got to but then we also have to pull our sleeves up and get to work,” McKinley said.

McKinley says a big part of that work is healing divides in our country, and understanding the perspectives of those who voted differently from us.

“We can’t work without them.”

We don’t have complete data for this election yet since some votes are still being counted, but early data suggests 53% of eligible young voters cast ballots in this election, compared to 45% in 2016. We’ll have to see if that trend continues in the next election.

You may also like…

Eugene3 days ago

Eugene firefighters battle three suspicious brush fires in early morning hours along East Bank Bike Path

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire crews responded to a series of suspicious brush fires early Monday morning, with three...

Eugene3 days ago

Dozens begin careers in emergency response as 43 new recruits enter Eugene Springfield Fire EMS academy

Eugene, OR – On Monday, 43 individuals officially began their journey into emergency services as they entered the Eugene Springfield...

Eugene3 days ago

19-year-old taken into custody on drug and weapon charges after early morning contact at Skinner Butte Park

Eugene, OR – A Eugene Police officer arrested a man at Skinner Butte Park early Saturday morning after discovering a...

Eugene3 days ago

Propane leak shuts down section of Danebo during emergency response in west Eugene

Eugene, OR – Danebo Avenue between Roosevelt Boulevard and West 11th Avenue was closed to traffic Monday morning as emergency...

Oregon5 days ago

Governor Kotek invokes Emergency Conflagration Act for Elk Fire in Klamath County as wildfire threat grows

Oregon – Governor Tina Kotek has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the Elk Fire burning in Klamath...

Eugene5 days ago

Eugene braces for heat advisory as temperatures near 100 degrees, splash pads open daily to help residents stay cool

Eugene, OR – The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the Eugene area on Saturday, July 13, with...

Eugene5 days ago

Firefighters contain South Hills house fire in Eugene, prevent spread to nearby trees and homes

Eugene, OR – A house fire broke out Saturday morning in Eugene’s South Hills, prompting a swift response from Eugene...

Eugene6 days ago

Eugene seeks creative frightful features for Halloween celebration

Eugene, OR — As Halloween Downtown returns this October, the City of Eugene’s Cultural Services division is calling on local...

Eugene6 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire responded to vehicle fire after rollover crash

Eugene, OR — On July 9 at approximately 3:35 p.m., Eugene Springfield Fire crews responded to a vehicle that had...

Eugene1 week ago

34-year-old suspect wanted for murder apprehended by Eugene police using license plate reader system

Eugene, OR – Eugene Police Department successfully arrested Isiah Terrell Taylor, 34, a suspect wanted by the Milwaukee Police Department...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene police officers join Special Olympics Oregon Torch Run to show support

Eugene,r O – Eugene Police Department officers took to the streets for the Special Olympics Oregon Torch Run, carrying the...

Trending