The meaning behind Kamala Harris’s iconic pearls

Pass me my pearls and my Chuck Taylors!

Kamala Harris gave hope to all women and young girls around the world when she was sworn in as Vice President of the United States. Her words will be in the history books and in our hearts for a lifetime: "While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last. Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities." And every little girl is now filled with possibilities about what they can achieve. To celebrate Kamala Harris and all her achievements, her supporters have been wearing pearls similar to Kamala's, as well as her iconic Chuck Taylor runners. Both of these are part of Kamala's signature look that she's been known to wear during her campaign trail.

All of my social media tls are full of pearls and chuck Taylor’s lol. Y’all cute

— A. Juice (@MissPatchesMD) January 20, 2021

Got my pearls and converse shoes on!! I’m ready!!?❤️??#BidenHarris #Inauguration

— janai brugger (@JanaiBrugger) January 20, 2021

It’s a converse and pearls kinda day. ? #Inauguration2021 pic.twitter.com/7xP93ImImF

— Elizabeth Williams (@PrincipalEWill1) January 20, 2021

As it turns out, there's a special meaning behind both the pearls and the runners, and that's why Kamala incorporates them into her look whenever she can. The pearls are a nod to Alpha Kappa Alpha, the oldest historically Black sorority in the US. Harris was part of this sorority when she was studying at Howard University. The pears relate to the sorority’s founders, known as the Twenty Pearls. Harris wears the pearls in solidarity with her sisters who have come before her. And the Chuck Taylors? Well, Harris admits to being a huge fan of the runners, as we all are. She's not afraid to wear her casual converse when she wants. She said recently: “You know, I grew up with Chucks. I just love them. They’re comfortable.” She's not wrong, in fairness.