WASHINGTON—Today, Vice President Kamala Devi Harris made history by becoming the first Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander to secure a major-party nomination for President of the United States. A majority of Democratic delegates have voted in a virtual roll call to select Vice President Harris as the party’s nominee in advance of the Democratic Convention.
“As a Senator, as Vice President, and now as the Democratic nominee for President, Vice President Harris has been an inspiration to our nation’s 26 million AA & NH/PI community—the fastest-growing racial/ethnic group in the country,” said APAICS President and CEO Madelene Mielke. “AA & NH/PI women have made great strides on our national political stage, with four women who have run for President, starting with Patsy Mink in 1972.”
Founded in 1994 by the late Secretary Norman Y. Mineta and former Delegate Robert Underwood, alongside the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, APAICS is the leading organization that promotes AA & NH/PI participation and representation at all levels of the political process. Through the APAICS Women’s Collective, the organization has emphasized identifying, developing, and training more AA & NH/PI women to serve in elected office.
“With 11 AA & NH/PI women in Congress—including two Senators and Governor Nikki Haley’s robust performance in the Republican primary, Harris’ nomination shows that AA & NH/PI women are becoming an increasingly potent political force. We are pleased that our investment in the Women’s Collective program has contributed to the growth and success of AA & NH/PI women seeking elected office,” said Mielke.
The APAICS Women’s Collective aims to build a community that inspires and supports AA & NH/PI women to become politically engaged by leading the national conversation on AA & NH/PI women’s representation in politics, uplifting AA & NH/PI women in politics, creating resources and tools for AA & NH/PI women to increase representation in public service, and to connect leaders and stakeholders. Programs such as the Women’s Collective Office Hours series and Women’s Collective Summit allow AA & NH/PI women to hear from leaders representing varying political spectrums.
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The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is a national, non-partisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander participation and representation at all levels of the political process from community service to elected office.
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