Kamala Harris became the first woman and person of color to assume the vice presidency of the United States.

As Harris took the oath of office, the juniors in teacher Carla Ferriera’s homeroom at the all-girls St. Vincent’s Academy in Newark saw something that they have never seen before – a vice president who looks like them.

“Such a beautiful thing to witness, because she’s opening so many doors for young women of color and she’s giving hope to little girls of color who feel like they haven’t got a place in society,” one student said. “It’s given them hope that one day they could be in her position or ever higher. The sky’s the limit for them.”

With classes being held remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the students watched and cheered together during the inaugural ceremonies. Student Kade Lewter even wore her Kamala Harris pearls.

“It just shows that we can really achieve greatness,” she said.

In his speech, President Joe Biden implored all Americans to imagine themselves walking in another person’s shoes.

“[Harris] is trailblazing in her politics and I just know - have the confidence and determination that I can be a trailblazer in my career, what I want to do,” another student said.

Many of the students agreed that it was a momentous day for Harris and for so many young women across the country.