FORT MYERS, Fla. — Former Vice President Joe Biden made his decision informing the world he would stand side by side with Senator Kamala Harris on the ticket in November, racing to the White House.
Crystal Johnson, a community activist here in Fort Myers, says she’s ecstatic and has faced her own adversities as a black woman, but seeing Kamala on that stage gives women like her a voice
“I’ve been told to tone it down, to you know not speak so boldly. Well, I’m here to say that I’m very pleased to know that it is okay to be bold. It is okay to speak your thoughts and be strong," said Johnson.
Harris not only is a representative for the black community but for those of South Asian descent, as her mother is an Indian woman. 20-year-old Simrun Varshney grew up here in Fort Myers and says this is huge for her community.
“As a woman myself it’s big to see women in those positions, women in positions of power especially politically, and then a South Asian woman on top of that, I’ve never really seen that before,” said Varshney.
“I think it’s super important because there are young girls who want to turn on the t.v. who don’t see what they look like. I know when I was young a lot of my life was like, that I would turn on even just the news I didn’t really see women who looked like me. I did think it was something I could do one day, but now as I’m older, I’m like wait that is a possibility,” said Varshney.
Chantel Rhodes a Fort Myers Community organizer, says her new role should wake a lot of America up
I think this is a good opportunity for everyone to pay attention and become knowledgeable about what Kamala Harris stands for, not just looking at the color of her skin,” said Rhodes.
However, Rhodes says, this news comes at the perfect time.
“It’s the centennial commemoration for women being allowed to vote in this country, so that’s a major move, the time is right and I think America is ready for this,” said Rhodes.
