It’s Kamala Harris: Joe Biden
picks his running mate

Westmount High alumna chosen as USA Democratic vice-presidential candidate

By Byron Toben

August 12, 2020

Westmount, the unique city surrounded by Montreal, was founded in 1874. Its secondary school, Westmount High, was also created that year. Over the years, it has produced some notable graduates such as Hollywood star Norma Shearer, poet/singer Leonard Cohen and Architect Moshe Safdie. Now, add to that list Kamala Harris, who has just been selected as U.S. presidential candidate Joe Biden’s running mate in the election coming up on November 3.

Senator Harris, born in California to a Jamaican immigrant father and an Asian Indian mother, attended Westmount High when her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer research expert, spent several years on a McGill/Jewish General Hospital program.

Kamala Harris’ Westmount High yearbook entry – Image: Courtesy of Westmount High

After graduating in 1981, she enrolled at Howard University in Washington, D.C., thence to Hastings law school at the University of California. Obtaining her J.D. and being admitted to the bar, she eventually became the District Attorney for San Francisco and later, Attorney General for the entire state of California.

Entering politics, she was elected one of the two U.S. Senators for California (each state, regardless of size, has two Senators).

Watch her debate (and probably demolish) Trump veep, Mike Pence on October 7.

Senator Harris… attended Westmount High when her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer research expert, spent several years on a McGill/Jewish General Hospital program.

Apparently, she was popular and helpful to her classmates at Westmount High.

All hail to the purple and white colours of that institution as well as its fine sports team, the Knights.

Any reader who knew her or her sister, Maya, during her stint at Westmount High is invited to share their reminisces with Westmount Magazine.

Feature image: Gage Skidmore via StockPholio.net

Other articles from Byron Toben
Other recent articles

Byron Toben, a past president of The Montreal Press Club, has been WestmountMag.ca’s theatre reviewer since July 2015. Previously, he wrote for since terminated websites Rover Arts and Charlebois Post, weekly The Downtowner and monthly The Senior Times. He also is an expert consultant on U.S. work permits for Canadians.