ARTESIA, Calif. — It is a new chapter for the United States, but especially for women like Mala Malani.

The Indian fashion shop owner in Artesia says seeing Vice President elect Kamala Harris excel, motivates her and her community to continue tp break barriers.

“I’m very happy, very happy. It’s a very good choice, because women work very hard and they need to be recognized. And plus she’s Black, African American and Indian, so that really brings out a wide spread,” Malani said.

Vice President elect Kamala Harris is the child of an Indian immigrant. Her mother comes from Chennai, and her father emigrated from Jamaica.

Malani has a shared cultural heritage with Harris, coming from the same region in South India, and even sharing her middle name. She hopes, as a female small business owner, Harris will focus on empowering women in her position during these trying economic times.

“I just want her to be there helping everyone. Helping not just our community but all the Indian women you know, inspire them. And they need help especially right now with COVID a lot of people are suffering. I hope something comes up, a package or something, because we all are suffering,“ she explained.

Sharing some of the saris in her shop, ultimately, Malani says seeing Vice president elect Kamala Harris in such a high position of influence, gives her hope for a more united America.

“We just want to see America all together, and not divided.”