Hillary Clinton recognizes Harris as continuing the tradition of significant women in political leadership.
"Together, we put an impressive amount of chips in the toughest, strongest glass barrier," Clinton shared with the crowd at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, talking about her trailblazing campaign eight years prior. "On the other side of that glass barrier stands Kamala Harris, placing her hand and taking the oath as our 47th president of the United States."
Clinton, who became the first woman to secure a major-party nomination for president, declared that Democrats were penning a fresh page in America's history book while she reflected on women striving for higher political positions. She acknowledged two ex-New York congresswomen - Shirley Chisholm, the pioneer female candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman to secure the vice-presidential nomination.
Harris, who was endorsed officially earlier this month, marks the first Black woman and first Asian American to spearhead a significant political party's ticket.
Clinton drew parallels between her struggle to achieve the nomination and Harris' during her address on Monday. She also covered the surge of political activity among women following her 2016 defeat to Trump. Clinton came out victorious in the popular vote, but lost out in the Electoral College.
"Close to 66 million Americans cast their votes for a future devoid of restrictions on our aspirations, and after that, we did not give up on America," Clinton announced. "Millions took to the streets, many entered politics. We focused our gaze on the future. Well, my friends, the future has finally arrived."
The former first lady, expected to address the convention on Wednesday alongside her husband, Bill Clinton, stated that Harris would prioritize reducing costs for working families, expand access to better-paying jobs, and yes, defend the right to abortion across the nation.
Clinton also highlighted Trump's legal troubles while adding some humor to it. She claimed, "Trump dozed off during his own trial and, upon awakening, created his own history – the first person to launch a presidential bid with 34 pending felony charges."
As the crowd chanted, "Imprison him," in a striking – and ironic – moment, Clinton acknowledged their cries and continued speaking. Trump's 2016 campaign rallies frequently echoed with his fans' chants of "Imprison her," referring to Clinton, who underwent questioning by the FBI for her use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state under President Barack Obama. Charges were not brought against her.
As the audience shouted out their demands on Monday night, Clinton nodded and carried on with her speech.
In subtle criticism of Trump, Clinton suggested that Harris admires our Medal of Honor recipients and would not have warm feelings for dictators.
Trump, in a recent statement regarding granting the Medal of Freedom to Republican megadonor Miriam Adelson, argued that receiving the Medal was "actually, much better" than the Medal of Honor "because everyone who receives the Congressional Medal of Honor is either badly injured from bullet wounds or dead."
Clinton, subject to Trump's mockery of her laugh during the 2016 campaign, rebutted Trump's sarcastic jabs at Harris' laugh and name.
“We have to stand up for Kamala as she fights for us. Because you know what? It still takes a village to foster a family, heal a nation, and emerge victorious in a campaign,” she concluded.
CNN's Jake Tapper contributed to this report.
Clinton further emphasized the importance of women in politics, stating, "The future has always been female in American politics, and with Harris' election, we're finally breaking the glass ceiling in the White House." Moreover, she highlighted the significance of women's political activism, saying, "Women's sudden interest in politics post-2016 was a testament to their passion for change and achieving equal representation in politics."
