At the Democratic National Convention this week, one of the most frequently cited individuals has been Shyamala Gopalan, the late mother of Vice President Kamala Harris. Gopalan, who has long been acknowledged as a significant influence in Harris’s life and political journey, is often quoted by her daughter. In a recent viral interview, Harris referenced Gopalan’s wisdom: “You think you just fell out of coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you.” This phrase became so popular that a coconut emoji has emerged as an emblem of Harris’s campaign following her presidential bid launch last month.
Other speakers at the DNC have echoed Gopalan’s teachings as well. Former First Lady Michelle Obama drew comparisons between Gopalan and her own late mother in her speech, reminding attendees of Gopalan’s sentiment, “Don’t sit around and complain about things. Do something.”
Harris is expected to acknowledge her mother’s enduring legacy in her acceptance speech for the presidential nomination. Here’s a closer look at Gopalan’s life and her impact on Harris’s political views.
Shyamala Gopalan was born in India and immigrated to the United States at the age of 19 to study nutrition and endocrinology at the University of California, Berkeley. She became a breast cancer researcher, contributing to pivotal advancements in the field.
While in California, she met economist Donald J. Harris, and they married, raising two daughters, Kamala and Maya. The couple’s shared commitment to the Civil Rights Movement deeply impacted Harris’s upbringing, with her experiences participating in marches for racial justice shaping her worldview. The marriage ended in divorce, with Gopalan primarily raising the sisters alone while Donald maintained a presence in their lives.
Gopalan also spent several years in Wisconsin, residing in Madison when Kamala was young. She worked at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while Donald was an associate professor at the same institution. Harris later noted that the family’s relocation to Madison contributed to her parents’ separation.
Gopalan passed away from colon cancer in 2009 at the age of 70, during Harris’s tenure as the district attorney of San Francisco. Following her mother’s death, Harris traveled to Chennai, India, to scatter Gopalan’s ashes, a ritual they had shared in the past to visit family.
Although Gopalan will not be physically present at the event, her influence will undoubtedly resonate with Harris as she makes history by becoming the first Black and South Asian woman to accept the Democratic presidential nomination. In her memoir “The Truths We Hold,” Harris wrote, “Mommy, you are the star of this book because you are the reason for everything. There is no title or honor on earth I’ll treasure more than to say I am Shyamala Gopalan Harris’ daughter.”