By Marshelle Sanders
Chicago Defender
One thing that stood out the most during the Democratic National Convention was Kamala Harris’s speech about her mother. It resonated with me because, at that moment, I thought about my mom, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 65 from heart disease.
She was my best friend.
In a clip on social media, V.P. Harris was interviewed by late American lawyer and healthcare activist Ady Barkan (2019), stating that the day her mother was diagnosed with colon cancer was indeed one of the worst days of her life.
A Shared Grief: Losing Our Mothers to Chronic Illness
Kamala and I share the emotional experience of hearing not-so-great news about women who have been massive inspirations in our lives and dealt with health concerns.
“It was awful,” said Harris, “and so many of us have had the experience of that first time hearing that there is an illness that will lead to death. My mother said it to my sister and me. I want to meet you guys for lunch, and she showed up at the restaurant wearing makeup,” Harris said.
“My mother never wore makeup, and her hair was blown; she was dressed up, and I looked at my sister. I said, ‘What is going on?’ And my mother walked to the table, and she took our hands and she said she’d been diagnosed with colon cancer. And that was one of the worst days of my life, truly.” Harris said, tearing up.
The last time I sat in the hospital with my mom was the hardest. It was in 2022, just as COVID was easing and the world was reopening. A year later, her health took a turn for the worse, and I was left heartbroken, alone in the emergency room as the doctors pronounced her of heart failure. That was the worst day of my life.
The interview with Ady Barkan and Kamala at the Democratic National Convention highlighted how many women like us have shared the experience of losing their mothers to chronic illness.
It also sheds light on the challenges within the healthcare system and, most importantly, how we carry forward with the strength our mothers instilled in us.
Shyamala Gopalan: A Trailblazer in Women’s Health
At the Democratic National Convention, V.P. Harris spoke about her mother’s incredible journey.
“My mother was 19 when she crossed the world alone, traveling from India to California with an unshakable dream to cure breast cancer,” she said.
After earning a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley in 1964, Shyamala Gopalan became a noted breast cancer researcher, working at institutions like McGill University. Harris described her mother as a “trailblazer in the fight for women’s health.”
Shyamala, who passed away in 2009, significantly influenced Kamala.
A ‘Tough, Courageous’ Example
Born in Madras (now Chennai), India, Shyamala moved to the U.S. for graduate school, earned her PhD in nutrition and endocrinology, and dedicated her career to cancer research. Kamala highlighted how her mother’s “tough, courageous” spirit shaped her worldview and fueled her political ambitions.
Growing up in West Berkeley, Kamala and her sister Maya were embraced by a supportive community and taught about their dual identity as Black and Indian. Despite their father’s limited involvement, Shyamala provided a rich cultural and educational foundation, ensuring they grew up with a strong identity and purpose.
Harris credits much of her success to her mother’s advice. Notably, Shyamala’s guidance to “never do anything half-assed” inspired Kamala to commit to her career fully. Other lessons include “Never let anyone tell you who you are; you show them who you are,” and “Never complain, do something about it.”
Shyamala’s wisdom also included reminding her daughters to see their challenges within a broader context, a lesson Kamala often references in her speeches.
Harris’s journey—from her time at Howard University to becoming the first woman, Black American and South Asian American vice president—reflects the profound impact of her mother’s teachings and the values she instilled.
My Mother’s Legacy: Strength, Faith and Resilience
My mother, Mamie Sanders, was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and attended Mayo Elementary School and Wendell Phillips High School. She was dedicated and hardworking, employed as a Black female mechanic at Union Pacific Railroad from the 1980s to the mid-1990s.
Known for her humor and big heart, she loved talking and helping anyone she could, even when it wasn’t always deserved. She deeply cherished her family, especially her grandparents, aunt and uncle, who have since passed away.
As a loving single mother, she did her best to raise my brother and me, often needing support herself. Despite the challenges, she always encouraged us to stay away from negativity, have faith, keep praying and stay close to God.
I carry her advice with me as I progress in my career.
Finding Strength After Loss: A Message of Encouragement
V.P. Harris is committed to continuing her work on healthcare issues and expressed concern during her interview for those facing financial difficulties in these challenging situations.
As for me, I want to encourage anyone who has lost their mother, whether recently or in the past, just as Kamala and I have.
Keep moving forward, honor their teachings and stay focused on your goals.
Remember that they’re cheering for us from the other side and will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Marshelle R. Sanders is a reporter for The Chicago Defender with deep roots in Chicago, IL, and the nearby suburb of Bellwood, IL. Her journalism has been featured in esteemed publications such as Felix Magazine and Eventnoire. In addition to her reporting, Marshelle is an influencer behind “The Beverage Library,” a brand that combines her passions for beverages and books to promote a relaxed social lifestyle. She is also a skilled mixologist. Marshelle holds degrees from Triton College and Governors State University.
