January 20, 2021: Today, Kamala Harris will become the first female to hold office in American history. It’s the perfect day to swap coffee with a celebratory glass of champagne and call out of work to watch the historic Inauguration Day swearing-in ceremony. Likewise, it’s time to dust off your pearls, to join nearly half a million women who are wearing them today to show their support for the nation’s Vice President-elect.
On December 5, Navy veteran Hope Aloaye created a Facebook group named “Wear Pearls on January 20, 2021, inspired by the California native’s affinity for the jewelry and the fact that they are an “expression of female strength.” As I write this article, the page has amassed 454,000 members and counting.
In the Facebook groups “About” section, Aloaye wrote, “We want as many women and young ladies to wear their pearls on the Inauguration Day of the first WOMAN VP in the history of these [the] United States.” It’s looking like the creator’s goal is bound to be a major success, as supporters, politicians, and celebrities have been flocking to social media to share selfies in their favorite pearls.
And, of course, Harris is wearing pearls today, too. For today’s ceremony, Harris is wearing a necklace by Puerto Rican designer, Wilfredo Rosado. According to Women’s Wear Daily, the fine jewelry designer was asked to create custom pieces for a “female politician who loves pearls.” Rosado told the outlet, “Kamala is someone I’ve been following since she threw her hat in the ring for president. I followed her in the debates, her line of questioning during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings [for the Supreme Court], and loved her strength. To have this opportunity was beyond exciting for me.”
Pearls are a staple part of the US Vice President-elect’s wardrobe. They symbolize her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, which she was a part of at Howard University. AKA is the first African-American Greek-letter sorority, founded in 1908, and its founders are referred to as “Twenty Pearls.” As announced today, AKA declared January 20 Kamala Harris Day. “Wear shades of pink and your favorite strand of pearls to acknowledge this historic moment,” the organization tweeted.
Jamie Lee Curtis is among the celebrities who are participating in the movement. On Wednesday morning, she tweeted a selfie and wrote, “Pearls for Kamala and all women!” She’s received hundreds of responses to her tweet. Those who don’t own pearls are slipping on her second favorite accessory: Chuck Taylors. No matter what you wear today, one thing’s for certain: It’s a great day to be an American.
