Vice President Harris inspiring Black women and girls everywhere during Black History Month

With Vice President Kamala Harris’ election, she conquered many firsts. Now, Black women and girls have someone to look up to and they’re speaking about what it means to them.

As the world watched the inauguration, so did little girls here in Southwest Florida. They noticed that she’s the first Vice President who looks like them.

Amyria-Rose is one of those little girls. “That makes me feel happy,” she said. “Full of joy!”

Chymora Richey is eight-years-old. “I was happy because she was the first Black Woman.”

Autumn Small, is seen and she says she appreciates the solidarity. “She stands up for other women,” Small said.

Seven-year-old Autumn Small said that watching Kamala Harris become the first Black and South Asian woman elected as Vice President was such a powerful moment that she couldn’t wrap her head around it.

“I did watch some of it but it got too interesting and then my head started filling about too much about her and I forgot about math and reading at school,” Small said.

Then she got to thinking and dreaming about what she could become.

“I would love to have a Black girl president…as president because it’s giving me an opportunity to be a president,” said Small.

WINK News reporter Breana Ross asked Autumn if she wants to be President or a government official when she grows up.

“Kinda but I don’t want to fill out paperwork,” Autumn said.

As these little girls watched history be made, their moms watched with them, both proudly and emotionally. Finally, their daughter got to see a different world than they saw. One that exists without limits placed on girls and particularly little Black girls.

Vasha Tolbert is Chymora’s Aunt and Charlie’s mom. “We do have a right to dream big and seeing those dreams being fulfilled. That’s a great step forward and that’s a conversation I’m now being able to have with my daughter and my niece,” Tolbert said.

Sheretta Toomer is Amyria-Rose’s mother. “I am beautiful. I am smart. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am all things good and I will succeed,” Toomer said.

With Harris taking office, Toomer says she believes her daughter has a new reason to believe she will succeed.

“I think that it gives all little girls hope that little girls can be whatever they want to be. It’s not only men now. It opens the door for a girl and I think that’s priceless,” she said through tears.

And, of course, another reason to be proud during Black History Month. “History is in the making. It’s not just what’s happened before us. It’s what’s happening before us right now in the moment,” Toomer said.

This is a moment little girls all over the world will always remember and proves that they can be whatever they want to be.

The girls also told Breana that they aren’t sure what they want to be when they grow up. But, their moms say having a role model in the White House gives them hope and gives their girls the confidence they can be whatever they want to be.