Home / Life Kamala Harris to be sworn in by Justice Sotomayor at inauguration The first woman of color to become vice president will take her oath from the first woman of color to sit on the Supreme Court By Jamie Orsini January 19, 2021 Rectangle When Kamala Harris takes the oath of office this week, she will become the first female vice president in American history, as well as the first Black and South Asian vice president. The vice president-elect has chosen to make the moment even more historic, if possible. She’s reportedly asked Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to swear her into office. Justice Sotomayor is the first Latina justice and the first woman of color to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. Both women are former prosecutors; Harris tried cases in California while Sotomayor worked in New York. Harris has also chosen to use two bibles for her ceremony. One bible belonged to Mrs. Regina Shelton, who was like a second mother to Harris growing up. The vice president-elect previously used Mrs. Shelton’s bible during her swearing-in for California Attorney General and the United States Senate. Harris will also be sworn in using a bible that belonged to the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. In a video posted to Twitter, Harris called Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court Justice, one of her childhood heroes and “one of the main reasons I wanted to be a lawyer.” My childhood hero and inspiration, Thurgood Marshall, was born on this day in 1908. Our nation is stronger because… https://t.co/xAfvjVsBpn — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) 1593719823.0 This will actually be the second time that Justice Sotomayor takes part in an inauguration. She previously swore in Joe Biden as vice president in 2013. We love how Harris is surrounding herself with other trailblazers for the historic ceremony. When our children watch the ceremony, they will see two strong role models, representing their offices and country. In her first address to the nation as vice president-elect, Harris said, “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.” We are so here for it. The latest Life 7 months pregnant on the campaign trail: How motherhood has changed the way I view politics Style Zooey Deschanel’s tips on how to get holiday party-ready (without putting your finger through your tights while your kids are yelling for dinner) Motherly Stories What is the ‘gratitude trap’? How gratitude can keep us stuck Getting Pregnant What to know about using supplements for fertility—and when to start taking them in preconception