![]() More and more folks are finally awakening to this fact, and women-as always-are leading the way. The only way out of this pandemic is by working together and doing your part our fate rests in each other's hands. With this pandemic, many have learned that the hard way. Women understand how deeply connected our lives are to the 'political landscape' and how interconnected we all are. Our right to bodily autonomy, to access reproductive healthcare, to be paid equally, and be free from sexual harassment in the workplace (just to name a few), have long been determined by rooms full of old, white men. We can all make a difference, no matter who you are, where you come from, or how old you are.Įspecially for women of colour, the personal is political. And like many others, I was inspired by President Obama’s call to service for young people. I was raised to be and think like an activist and an organizer, like the women in my family who came before me. In doing so, she also taught us a key lesson that has now become the central line of my kids’ book, Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea: “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.” ![]() She taught my mom and aunt, and later me, that you should always try to make an impact, wherever you are, however you can-big or small. My grandmother, in particular, was no stranger to protests, but she was also a great example of living out everyday acts of resistance. Just like my mom and aunt, I was brought along to protests and rallies, and social justice issues were frequently discussed at our dinner table. I learned at a young age what activism looks like, and what it can achieve. 11, 2021 4 AM PT WASHINGTON Five days before Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice president, her niece, Meena Harris, appeared on the Today show for an interview conducted by Jenna. That’s truly all I knew as a kid strong, powerful women was my worldview. I often joke that growing up in my family was like the opening scene of the Wonder Woman movie, where a community of strong, brilliant women ran around helping each other succeed, and basically saved the world together. Meena, 35, tells Grazia about the effect growing up with powerful women around her has had on her life. The book debuted #5 on the New York Times bestseller list.Meena Harris, a lawyer, activist, and the founder of the Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign, is the niece of Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris. Writing for, Sabrina Weiss called it an "inspiring tale all on its own," and also noted how González' illustrations "are engaging for young readers." The parenting website,, mentioned some of the praise the book received from people such as Elizabeth Warren and Stacey Abrams, who called it " must read for little girls around the world" and "n inspiring tale", respectively. The New York Times highlighted the book in a list called "8 Picture Books About Ordinary Kids' Everyday Activism". This included "these lessons around things like community organizing, around coalition building, around leaning on your community". In an interview to Business Insider, one of the reasons Harris decided to write the book and work as a children's author was so she could tell stories that were inspirational to her as she grew up. Kamala and Maya's Big Idea 's story is based on the lives of Harris' mother and aunt. ![]() Since the adults do not want to help, and they lack money to buy materials, the sisters begin a campaign and recruit the other kids in the building to help them.īy hanging posters around and doing a garage sale, they manage to convince some of the adults to donate items for the playground, as well as acquire funds to buy any necessary material to build it up. ![]() The two girls decide one day to turn the empty courtyard into a playground. Kamala and Maya Harris live in an apartment building that has no place for them to play. The story is based on the childhood of Kamala and Maya Harris, the author's aunt and mother, respectively. The book was published in 2020 by Balzer + Bray and it was Harris' debut book as a children's author. Kamala and Maya's Big Idea is a children's picture book written by Meena Harris and illustrated by Ana Ramírez González. ![]()
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