Kamala Harris’s history-making victory speech as US Vice-President-elect

Kamala Harris has delivered a rousing speech as she makes history for being America’s first female and first Black Vice President-elect.

Kamala Harris has paid tribute to generations of women in a rousing victory speech on Saturday as she made history for being America’s first female, first Black and first South Asian Vice President-elect.

Ms Harris took to the stage with president-elect Joe Biden to claim victory in the US presidential election, hours after news networks called the race for Mr Biden.

The news has been greeted with wild scenes of celebration although US President Donald Trump has refused to concede defeat.

Striding out in a white pants suit, Ms Harris’s arrival was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd with loud cheers and the honking of car horns at Wilmington, Delaware.

Ms Harris paid tribute to her mother Shyamala Harris who she said was the woman most responsible for her presence on the stage.

“When she came here from India at the age of 19, she maybe didn’t quite imagine this moment but she believed so deeply in an America where a moment like this is possible,” Ms Harris said.

“And so I am thinking about her and about the generations of women: black women … Asian, white, Latina, Native American women … throughout our nation’s history have paved the way for this moment tonight.

“Women who fought and sacrificed so much for equality and liberty and justice for all. “Including the black women who are often, too often, overlooked it so often prove they are the backbone of our democracy.”

RELATED: Follow our live US Election updates here

Kamala Harris arrives to address the nation during an election event in Wilmington, Delaware. Picture: Robert Deutsch/USA Today/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Ms Harris also paid tribute to all the women who had worked to secure and protect their right to vote for over a century.

“Tonight, I reflect on their struggle. Their determination. And the strength of their vision to see what can be unburdened by what has been. And I stand on the shoulders.

“And what a Testament it is to Joe’s character that he had the audacity to break one of the most substantial barriers that exists in our country and select a woman as his vice president.

“But 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. And to he children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: Dream with ambition. Lead with conviction. And see yourselves in a way that others may not, simply because they have never seen it before. But know that we will applaud you every step of the way.”

RELATED: The woman who could be US president

US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris paid tribute her mother and the women who have come before her, in her victory speech. Picture: Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images

In her speech Ms Harris also praised US President-elect Joe Biden and said Americans had selected a “healer, a uniter, a tested and steady hand” to be their next leader.

She said he was a person “whose own experience of loss gives him a sense of purpose that will help us as a nation” to reclaim a sense of purpose.

Ms Harris described Mr Biden as “a man with a big heart who loves with abandon” and said his wife would be an incredible First Lady.

“And to the American people, no matter who you voted for, I will strive to be a vice president, like Joe was to President Obama: loyal, honest and prepared, waking up every day,

thinking of you and your family because now is when the real work begins. The hard work. The necessary work. The good work. The essential work. To save lives and beat this epidemic.

“To rebuild our economy so it works for working people, to root out systemic racism in our justice system and society full to combat the climate crisis.

“To unite our country and heal the soul of our nation. And the road ahead will not be easy. “But America is ready. And so are Joe and I.

We have elected a president who represents the best in us. A leader the world will respect and

our children will look up to. A commander-in-chief who will respect our troops and keep our country safe. And a president for all Americans.”

President-elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris just delivered two of the best speeches of this election. Absolutely drawing a line under the Trump era.

— Lisa Millar (@LisaMillar) November 8, 2020

The soothing sound of complete sentences and cogent thoughts. Spread the faith @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris

— Lynn Nottage (@Lynnbrooklyn) November 8, 2020

The VP elect Kamala Harris gave us a pussybow silk blouse under a crispy white suit. It’s giving Missionary Baptist Church Mother’s Board. What a way to set the tone for years to come. pic.twitter.com/HOFJq8BiJw

— 𝔰𝔭𝔦𝔯𝔦𝔱𝔲𝔞𝔩 𝔰𝔬𝔲𝔩 𝔰𝔫𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔯 (@bigbrownhottie) November 8, 2020

That was a great speech by @KamalaHarris. This is a great speech by @JoeBiden. Two decent human beings and capable leaders at a moment of crisis. Thank god.

— Jon Lovett (@jonlovett) November 8, 2020